Function-adding adapter for a magnetic stirrer, and magnetic stirrer arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a function-adding adapter (1) for extending the functions of an existing magnetic stirrer (2), the function-adding adapter (1) comprising a heated-plate structure (3) with a heatable surface (4) on which at least one receptacle (5) can be placed.

Description

[0001]PC 240374 J April 15, 2024 Functional adapter for a magnetic stirrer and magnetic stirrer assembly The invention relates to a functional adapter for expanding the functionality of an existing magnetic stirrer. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a magnetic stirrer assembly comprising at least one magnetic stirrer and at least one such functional adapter. In addition to magnetic stirrers that provide a wide range of functions and are therefore comparatively expensive, magnetic stirrers are also available that have a simpler design and are therefore initially less expensive to purchase. For example, there are magnetic stirrers that only offer a single stirring position but have no other functions. If the need for additional functions arises at a later date, it is currently necessary to replace such a single-position magnetic stirrer with a magnetic stirrer with a wider range of functions.The object of the invention is therefore to create a functional adapter for expanding the functionality of an existing magnetic stirrer, which enables the existing magnetic stirrer to be easily upgraded and avoids the replacement of the existing magnetic stirrer with a more complex device. To achieve this object, a functional adapter for expanding the functionality of an existing magnetic stirrer is proposed, which has the features of the independent claim. Accordingly, it is provided that the functional adapter comprises a hotplate structure with a heatable installation surface for at least one container. With the functional adapter according to the invention, it is possible to add a heating function to an existing magnetic stirrer, which is not itself equipped with a heating function, and thus to convert an existing magnetic stirrer into a magnetic stirrer with a hotplate.To prevent the magnetic stirrer from being thermally overloaded when using the functional adapter, it can be expedient for the hotplate structure to have a glass ceramic base plate on which the base surface is formed, an insulation layer, a heating element, in particular a heating foil, and a heat-conducting layer, in particular made of aluminum sheet. The heating element can be arranged between the base plate and the insulation layer, and the insulation layer between the heating element and the heat-conducting layer. The heating element, in particular the heating foil, transfers heat not only towards the base surface, but also in the opposite direction, in this case towards a magnetic stirrer equipped with the functional adapter. The layer sequence of the hotplate structure prevents excessive heating of the existing magnetic stirrer arranged below the hotplate structure when using the functional adapter.The insulation layer, which is arranged below the heating element, in particular below the heating foil, reduces heat transfer from the heating element of the heating plate assembly to the magnetic stirrer, which is located beyond the insulation layer when the functional adapter is in the use position. The additional heat-conducting layer of the heating plate assembly, which is arranged below the insulation layer as seen from the heating element, enables the dissipation of heat that may penetrate the insulation layer and thus helps to protect the magnetic stirrer from thermal overload. PC 240374 J 3 / 37 April 15, 2024. In one embodiment of the functional adapter, a tolerance compensation layer can also be arranged between the insulation layer and the heat-conducting layer. The tolerance compensation layer enables reliable contact of the insulation layer with the heat-conducting layer and can also provide additional insulation.A temperature-resistant fiber mat, for example, can be used as a tolerance compensation layer. For reliable heat dissipation and thus for the most reliable protection possible for a magnetic stirrer equipped with the functional adapter, it can be advantageous if the heating plate structure has a heat-conducting profile. The heat-conducting profile can be made of a thermally conductive material, e.g., aluminum. The heat-conducting profile can be connected to the heat-conducting layer so that heat absorbed by the heat-conducting layer can be transferred to the heat-conducting profile via the connection to the heat-conducting profile. Particularly if the heat-conducting profile has a large volume and / or a large heat capacity compared to the heat-conducting layer, it is possible to transfer even larger amounts of heat to the heat-conducting profile while keeping it away from a magnetic stirrer equipped with the functional adapter.The heat-conducting profile can serve as a heat sink for the heating plate structure. In one embodiment of the heat-conducting profile, it is designed as a closed, circumferential profile. The heat-conducting profile can be frame-shaped and / or, for example, have a heat-dissipating design. Heat-dissipating designs can include, for example, cooling fins and / or channels and / or openings and / or bores and / or penetrations PC 240374 J 4 / 37 April 15, 2024 and / or recesses in the heat-conducting profile, through which the surface area of ​​the heat-conducting profile can be enlarged and the ability of the heat-conducting profile to dissipate heat to the environment can be improved. Furthermore, it is possible for the heat-conducting profile to form at least part of the outer contour of the heating plate structure. In this way, heat introduced into the heat-conducting profile can be dissipated to the environment via the outer side of the heat-conducting profile.This leads to particularly efficient temperature management of the hotplate assembly and thus to particularly efficient protection of the magnetic stirrer equipped with the functional adapter against thermal overload. The heat-conducting profile can act as a heat exchanger. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the functional adapter, the mounting plate is glued to the heat-conducting profile. The mounting plate can be connected to the heat-conducting profile, for example, using a temperature-resistant, preferably double-sided, adhesive tape, a temperature-resistant adhesive, and / or temperature-resistant silicone. This enables a particularly compact design and simple production of the hotplate assembly of the functional adapter. Separate fastening devices such as clamps or screws for securing the mounting plate to the heat-conducting profile are then no longer required.The heating element of the heating plate structure can be arranged and / or designed such that only an inner region of the mounting plate, on which the mounting surface is formed, is heated. If a connection between the mounting plate and the heat-conducting profile is made by an adhesive bond in an edge region of the mounting plate, which, for example, surrounds the mounting surface on the mounting plate in a closed circumferential manner, the adhesive bond between the mounting plate PC 240374 J 5 / 37 April 15, 2024 and the heat-conducting profile, namely the preferably double-sided, temperature-resistant adhesive tape, can be protected from thermal overload. In a preferred embodiment of the functional adapter, it is provided that a heatable surface of the heating element is at a distance from the heat-conducting profile. This prevents direct contact between the heatable surface and the heat-conducting profile. In this way, direct heat input into the heat-conducting profile can be avoided.The heatable surface can be surrounded by an unheated edge region of the heating element. The unheated edge region can, for example, be made of thermally well-insulating mica material. The unheated edge region of the heating element can at least reduce or at least largely prevent heat input into the heat-conducting profile directly from the plane of the heating plate structure in which the heating element is arranged. If too much heat is introduced into the heat-conducting profile in this plane, this can negatively impact the efficiency of the heat-conducting profile's function as a heat exchanger. Heating wires or heating tracks, for example, can be arranged within the heatable surface. The heating element can have at least one edge-side, material-free cutout. The aim of this is to avoid direct contact between the heating element and the heat-conducting profile.The at least one edge-side, material-free cutout can border the heatable surface of the heating element. In one embodiment of the functional adapter, it can be provided that the heating element has contact surfaces only in its corner regions, in particular four. The contact surfaces can be made of mica material. With the contact surfaces, the heating element can contact the heat-conducting profile in the use position. The previously mentioned material-free cutouts can then be formed between the contact surfaces of the heating element formed in the corner regions. This minimizes the contact surface of the heating element with the heat-conducting profile. Furthermore, the four contact surfaces formed in the corner regions promote centering of the heatable surface of the heating element inside the heating plate structure.The heat-conducting profile can have a geometry such that a projection of the heat-conducting profile onto the support plate completely surrounds the support surface for a container formed on the support plate. The insulation layer can be made, for example, of a microporous insulation material, polyurethane, rock wool, and / or glass wool. As already indicated above, the heat-conducting profile can be frame-shaped. The heat-conducting profile can also define an interior space in which the heating element and / or the insulation layer and / or the tolerance compensation layer of the heating plate structure are arranged. The heat-conducting profile can then serve, on the one hand, to accommodate the aforementioned layers of the heating plate structure and to absorb heat emanating from the heating element that is not transferred to the support plate. The heat-conducting profile can be arranged between the support plate and the heat-conducting layer.The heating plate structure can further comprise a heat shielding layer, in particular made of stainless steel sheet. The heat shielding layer can be arranged on the heat conducting layer. The heat shielding layer can be arranged, in particular, on a side of the heat conducting layer facing away from the heating element and / or the heat conducting profile. The heat shielding layer can serve as additional thermal protection for the magnetic stirrer equipped with the functional adapter against thermal overload. The use of the heat shielding layer, in particular made of stainless steel, is advantageous, for example, when the heat conducting layer is interrupted in places or its layer thickness is reduced.This can be the case in order to minimize a magnetic shielding effect of the heat conduction layer, which would impair a magnetic coupling between a stirring point of the magnetic stirrer equipped with the functional adapter and / or between a stirring point, which the functional adapter may also have, and a magnetic pickup, such as a stirring magnet. The heat shielding layer then serves as an additional barrier against heat, which can more easily pass through the heat conduction layer at these points. In one embodiment of the functional adapter, the heating plate structure has a support plate on an underside facing away from the installation plate. The support plate can be made of plastic, for example, and form a closure of the heating plate structure. The design of the support plate from plastic can also provide an additional insulating effect and thus contribute to the thermal protection of the magnetic stirrer equipped with the functional adapter.The carrier plate can be connected to the heat-conducting profile of the heating plate structure, for example, by screwing. A screw connection between the carrier plate and the heat-conducting profile can press the individual layers of the heating plate structure together and also the previously mentioned tolerance compensation layer together. The functional adapter can have at least one light source, PC 240374 J 8 / 37 April 15, 2024 for example an LED, in particular an RGB LED, for generating an illuminated display on the support plate. Using such an LED, it is then possible to generate an illuminated display for status indication on the support plate, for example adjacent to the support surface on the support plate. In one embodiment of the functional adapter, it is provided that a light source is arranged on the heating plate structure, for example on the previously mentioned carrier plate of the heating plate structure.The light source is preferably oriented so that it radiates towards the base plate. To create an illuminated display on the top side of the base plate, the plate can be at least partially transparent or translucent. The base plate can then be irradiated from below to create the desired illuminated display on the top side of the base plate. The heating plate structure can have a screen for each light source, for example on the carrier plate, to prevent lateral light emission. The screen can be used to minimize or even completely prevent lateral light emission through a gap between the carrier plate and the heat-conducting profile. A gap between the carrier plate and the heat-conducting profile can be sealed light-tight to prevent light from escaping through the gap.The screen(s) can act as reflectors and, for this purpose, be provided with a reflective coating, in particular with a highly reflective, for example white, paint. In one embodiment, the functional adapter can have a plurality of light sources for generating an illuminated display. These plurality of light sources can, for example, be LEDs, preferably RGB LEDs and / or pixel LEDs, and / or be connected to one another via a data bus. The use of PC 240374 J 9 / 37 April 15, 2024 pixel LEDs as light sources, which can be connected to one another via a data bus, simplifies the wiring of the light sources and also facilitates targeted control of the light sources to generate a particularly meaningful illuminated display on the base plate of the functional adapter. Multiple light sources can, for example, be arranged on a circuit board.Particularly when the at least one light source is arranged on the previously mentioned support plate of the heating plate structure, it can be expedient if the heat-conducting profile has at least one light passage opening through which light can be guided from the at least one light source to and through the preferably at least partially transparent or translucent support plate. The heat-conducting profile then thermally separates the at least one light source from the heating element of the heating plate structure and simultaneously enables the generation of the previously described illuminated display on the support plate. In one embodiment of the functional adapter, it is provided that the heat-conducting profile has a plurality of such light passage openings, preferably surrounding the support surface in a ring shape. In this way, the generation of an illuminated display that surrounds the support surface on the support plate of the functional adapter is possible.The at least one light passage opening in the heat-conducting profile can form a light segment of the illuminated display. The heat-conducting profile can reliably protect the at least one light source from thermal overload caused by heat emitted by the heating element of the heating plate structure. The heat-conducting profile thus serves as a spacer between the at least one light source and the heating element and can also absorb and dissipate heat generated by the at least one light source. The formation of a visually appealing illuminated display on the support plate can be promoted if the support plate is at least partially transparent or translucent and / or knob-free, at least in the region of the at least one light passage opening of the heat-conducting profile, and / or has a ground glass surface and / or a filter and / or a tint.In particular, the use of a ground glass, a filter, and / or a tint can promote the formation of a uniform and therefore particularly attractive illuminated display on the surface of the mounting plate. A seal can be arranged between the mounting plate and the heat-conducting profile. The seal can prevent the ingress of moisture. The seal can have at least one light passage segment that limits an effective light exit cross-section of the at least one light passage opening of the heat-conducting profile. The seal can thus function as a screen to give the light segment generated by means of the light passage opening the desired shape in a particularly simple manner. The seal can further have a preferably closed, circumferential sealing lip, which is formed on a side of the seal facing the mounting plate of the heating plate structure when the seal is in the use position.The sealing lip can promote the sealing effect of the seal. The seal can preferably be made of rubber or silicone. The functional adapter can be designed as an attachment for placing on and / or slipping over a mounting surface of a magnetic stirrer. Furthermore, the functional adapter can have a housing with a receiving space in which an existing magnetic stirrer is arranged when the functional adapter is positioned on the magnetic stirrer in the use position. The functional adapter can furthermore have, in particular in the aforementioned receiving space, at least one fixing means for fixing the functional adapter to a magnetic stirrer. The at least one fixing means can, for example, be an elastic clamping element and / or be made of rubber. A depth of the receiving space can correspond to a height of the existing magnetic stirrer or can also be greater than the height of the existing magnetic stirrer.The functional adapter can then be placed over an existing magnetic stirrer like a hood, reliably protecting it from potentially aggressive environmental influences. In one embodiment of the functional adapter, the depth of the receiving space can be smaller than the height of the existing magnetic stirrer, for example, corresponding to half the height of the magnetic stirrer. The functional adapter can furthermore have at least one connection interface, for example in the previously mentioned receiving space. Via such a connection interface, it is possible to transmit power and / or control signals and / or data to the magnetic stirrer or retrieve them from the magnetic stirrer. Thus, a magnetic stirrer equipped with the functional adapter can be supplied with power, data and / or signals via the functional adapter. A separate connection for the magnetic stirrer is then unnecessary. The functional adapter PC 240374 J 12 / 37 15 can be used to supply the magnetic stirrer.April 2024 itself have a connection via which the functional adapter can be connected to a power source and / or to a control unit. The functional adapter can have at least one coupling interface on at least one outer side for mechanical and / or electrical connection and / or for data connection of the functional adapter to a control unit and / or to another such functional adapter. In this way, it is possible to connect the functional adapter to a control unit or to form a network of several functional adapters. Via a coupling interface of a functional adapter, the entire network can then be supplied with power, data and / or control signals and controlled if necessary. In one embodiment of the functional adapter, such a coupling interface is present on at least two different outer sides.Multiple functional adapters can be connected to one another via their coupling interfaces, either directly or via cable connections. Cables are then used to connect the coupling interfaces of the functional adapters. In this way, a network of functional adapters and magnetic stirrers equipped therewith can be provided, which can then be controlled via a central control unit. In one embodiment of the functional adapter, it is provided that it has at least one stirring point for driving a magnetic pickup, in particular a stirring magnet. The at least one stirring point of the functional adapter can be driven via a stirring point of an existing magnetic stirrer that is to be equipped with the functional adapter.The functional adapter can have, as a stirring point, at least one rotatably mounted output and a magnetic coupling element that can be magnetically coupled to a stirring drive of an existing magnetic stirrer and with which the at least one output can be driven at least indirectly. A rotary movement generated by a stirring drive of the existing magnetic stirrer can be fed into the functional adapter via the magnetic coupling element. The at least one output of the functional adapter can have at least one magnet, in particular at least two magnets, for magnetic coupling to a receiver, for example to a stirring magnet. The at least one magnet of the drive is preferably a rare earth magnet. Rare earth magnets are particularly powerful and are well suited for establishing a magnetic coupling with a receiver, for example to a stirring magnet, even over a somewhat greater distance.The heating plate structure, which minimizes heat dissipation in the mounting plate in the opposite direction and thus in the direction of the output, prevents at least one magnet of the output from overheating, for example from reaching a temperature of over 80°C. At temperatures above 80°C, rare earth magnets can become unstable and lose their magnetic effect. The heating plate structure can thus favor the use of a rare earth magnet on the functional adapter. In a preferred embodiment of the functional adapter, which enables the functional expansion of an existing magnetic stirrer to include more than just a heating function, the functional adapter is provided with at least two rotatably mounted outputs as stirring points. In this way, the PC 240374 J 14 / 37 April 15, 2024 functional adapter can be used to convert an existing single-position magnetic stirrer into a multi-position magnetic stirrer.The magnetic coupling element of the functional adapter can then be connected to the at least two outputs of the functional adapter via a distributor, for example via a belt and / or a gear. This makes it possible to distribute a rotary movement fed into the functional adapter via the magnetic coupling element to at least two rotatably mounted outputs of the functional adapter and thus ultimately to create at least two stirring points on the functional adapter. In one embodiment of the functional adapter, the functional adapter is provided with a preferably central stirring point surrounded by at least two stirring points. For example, a larger-volume stirring container can be placed on this one, preferably central, stirring point, and a magnetic pickup arranged therein can be driven to mix the liquid contained in the stirring container.The functional adapter can thus be used either with several smaller stirring vessels placed on the individual stirring points, or with just a single, larger stirring vessel. In one embodiment of the functional adapter, the heat-conducting layer of the heating plate structure can be interrupted in at least one area, in particular at least in the area of ​​the at least one stirring point of the functional adapter or in the area that borders a stirring point of a magnetic stirrer when the functional adapter is in the position of use, and / or filled with a non-magnetically shielding inlay, for example a stainless steel inlay, and / or reduced in terms of its layer thickness, for example from 2 mm to 0.5 mm or 0.4 mm PC 240374 J 15 / 37 April 15, 2024 or 0.3 mm. In this way, magnetic shielding between the respective stirring point and a magnetic pickup, for example a stirring magnet, can be minimized or completely avoided.The functional adapter can also be operated without a magnetic stirrer if required, then functioning as a laboratory hotplate. To achieve this objective, a magnetic stirrer arrangement is also proposed, comprising at least one magnetic stirrer and at least one functional adapter according to one of the claims directed thereto. The functional adapter can then be placed over the magnetic stirrer in the use position. The magnetic stirrer can then be arranged within the functional adapter so that it is no longer visible from the outside. In this case, the functional adapter acts like a hood, beneath which the magnetic stirrer is then arranged, protected from external influences. The invention is described in more detail below using exemplary embodiments, but is not limited to these exemplary embodiments.Further embodiments arise from combining the features of individual or multiple claims with one another and / or from combining individual or multiple features of the embodiments. These show: Fig. 1 is a perspective bottom view of a functional adapter with a receiving space for a magnetic stirrer (also shown), so that the functional adapter can be placed over the magnetic stirrer in the use position and the magnetic stirrer can be arranged in the receiving space, Fig. 2 is a perspective bottom view of the functional adapter shown in Figure 1 PC 240374 J 16 / 37 April 15, 2024 in its use position on the magnetic stirrer, wherein the magnetic stirrer is arranged in the receiving space of the functional adapter, Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the arrangement from Fig.2, wherein fixing means in the form of rubber nubs can be seen in the receiving space of the functional adapter, by means of which the magnetic stirrer is clamped within the receiving space and thereby the functional adapter is fixed to the magnetic stirrer, Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the heating plate structure to illustrate the components and the layer sequence of the heating plate structure, Fig. 5 is a sectional side view of the heating plate structure with the frame-shaped heat-conducting profile made of aluminum from Fig. 4 to illustrate light passage openings formed in the heat-conducting profile, which enable the generation of a light display on the upper side of the mounting plate of the heating plate structure, Fig.6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the functional adapter, which not only extends an existing single-position magnetic stirrer by a heating function, but also converts it into a multi-position magnetic stirrer, wherein in this view the heating plate structure is shown transparent / hidden for reasons of better clarity and the functional adapter has five individual stirring points below the heating plate structure that are connected to one another by belts, PC 240374 J 17 / 37 April 15, 2024 Fig. 7 is a sectional side view of the functional adapter shown in Figure 6 in the use position on a single-position magnetic stirrer, Fig. 8 is a sectional side view of a further functional adapter in the use position on a single-position magnetic stirrer, wherein the functional adapter only has a heating plate structure and thus only extends the existing single-position magnetic stirrer by the heating function, Fig.Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a functional adapter with a connected control unit, via which the functional adapter and in particular its heating function, but also the magnetic stirrer equipped with the functional adapter can be controlled. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of three functional adapters coupled to one another via their housing-side coupling interfaces to form a network. The coupling interfaces allow power and / or signal transmission between the functional adapters and the magnetic stirrers equipped with them, so that the entire network can be controlled via a single control unit. Fig. 11 is a network of magnetic stirrers equipped with functional adapters, the functional adapters being connected to one another via cables. Fig. 12 is a plan view of a functional adapter illustrating five stirring points of the functional adapter and an illuminated display on the installation surface of the functional adapter. PC 240374 J 18 / 37 15.April 2024 In the following description of various embodiments of the invention, elements that correspond in function are given the same reference numerals, even if they have different designs or shapes. All figures show at least parts of functional adapters designated as a whole by 1, which serve to expand the functionality of an existing magnetic stirrer 2. Each functional adapter 1 comprises a heating plate structure 3 with a heatable support surface 4 for at least one container 5. The functional adapters 1 shown in the figures are identical with regard to the heating plate structure 3. The heating plate structure 3 comprises a support plate 6 made of glass ceramic, which is at least partially transparent or translucent at least at the edge and on which the support surface 4 is formed.Furthermore, as Figure 4 illustrates, the heating plate structure 3 comprises an insulation layer 7, a heating element 8 in the form of a heating foil, and a heat-conducting layer 9 made of aluminum sheet. The heating element 8 is arranged below the support plate 6 and thus between the support plate 6 and the insulation layer 7. The insulation layer 7 is in turn arranged below the heating element 8 and thus between the heating element 8 and the heat-conducting layer 9. Between the insulation layer 7 and the heat-conducting layer 9, the heating plate structure 3 comprises a tolerance compensation layer 10 made of a temperature-resistant fiber mat. The heating plate structure 3 further comprises a heat-conducting profile 11 made of aluminum and serving as a heat sink. The heat-conducting profile 11 is connected to the heat-conducting layer 9 in such a way that heat transfer from the heat-conducting layer 9 to the heat-conducting profile 11 is promoted. PC 240374 J 19 / 37 15.April 2024 Figure 4 shows that the heat-conducting profile 11 is a closed, circumferential, frame-shaped profile and forms part of the outer contour of the heating plate structure 3. The heat-conducting profile 11 is arranged, according to Figure 4, between the mounting plate 6 and the heat-conducting layer 9 of the heating plate structure 3. The mounting plate 6 of the heating plate structure 3 is connected, namely glued, to the heat-conducting profile 11 by a temperature-resistant, double-sided adhesive tape 12, which is shown below the mounting plate 6 in Figure 4. The adhesive tape 12 is arranged in an edge region of the mounting plate 6 and on an underside of the mounting plate 6. The mounting surface 4 on the mounting plate 6 is arranged within a projection of the adhesive tape 12 onto the mounting plate 6. The heating element 8 is arranged and / or designed such that only an inner region of the mounting plate 6, on which the mounting surface 4 is formed, is heated.In this way, the adhesive bond between the glass-ceramic base plate 6 and the aluminum heat-conducting profile 11 is protected from thermal overload. The insulation layer 7 of the heating plate assembly 3 consists of a microporous insulation material. The heat-conducting profile 11 is, as previously mentioned, frame-shaped. The heat-conducting profile 11 comprises an interior space 13 in which the heating element 8, namely the heating foil, and the insulation layer 7, as well as the tolerance compensation layer 10, are arranged. The heating plate assembly 3 further comprises a heat-shielding layer 14 made of stainless steel sheet and arranged on the heat-conducting layer 9. The heat-shielding layer 14 is arranged on an underside of the heat-conducting layer 9, which faces away from the heating element 8 and also from the heat-conducting profile 11. On an underside of the heating plate structure 3 facing away from the mounting plate 6, the latter has a support plate 15 made of plastic.The support plate 15 thus forms the lower end of the heating plate assembly 3. The support plate 15 can be screwed to the heat-conducting profile 11, for example. Figure 4 shows that the functional adapter 1 has a series of light sources 16, which serve to generate an illuminated display 41 on the support plate 6 of the heating plate assembly 3 and are arranged on a PCB strip. The status of the magnetic stirrer 2 and / or the functional adapter 1, for example a temperature of the support surface 4, can be output via the illuminated display 41. The light sources 16 are RGB LEDs, namely so-called pixel LEDs, which are arranged on the heating plate assembly 3, namely on the support plate 15 of the heating plate assembly 3. The pixel LEDs are connected to one another via a data bus 17.This enables simple interconnection of the light sources 16 and the generation of a particularly attractive illuminated display for indicating the status of the functional adapter 1 and the magnetic stirrer 2 equipped therewith on the upper side of the at least partially transparent or translucent mounting plate 6. In order to be able to guide the light emitted by the light sources 16 to generate the illuminated display to and through the mounting plate 6, the heat-conducting profile 11 has a series of light passage openings 18. The light emitted by the light sources 16 can be guided from below through the light passage openings 18 to and ultimately through the mounting plate 6, which is at least partially transparent or translucent at least in this area. Figure 4 PC 240374 J 21 / 37 April 15, 2024 illustrates that the heat-conducting profile 11 has a plurality of such light passage openings 18 surrounding the mounting surface 4 on the mounting plate 6 in a ring shape.The light passage openings 18 can, for example, widen conically from bottom to top or from top to bottom. Each light passage opening 18 enables the formation of a light segment on the upper side of the glass-ceramic support plate 6 of the heating plate structure 3. In the region of the light passage openings 18, the support plate 6 is at least partially transparent or translucent and nub-free and / or provided with a ground glass and / or a filter and / or a tint in order to promote the formation of individual light segments of a light display to be generated on the upper side of the support plate 6. The functional adapters 1 shown in the figures are designed as an attachment for placement on a support surface of an existing magnetic stirrer 2 and can be slipped over an existing magnetic stirrer 2 like a hood.Each functional adapter 1 has a housing 19 with a receiving space 20, in which an existing magnetic stirrer 2 is arranged when the functional adapter 1 is positioned in the use position on the magnetic stirrer 2. Figure 3 illustrates that the functional adapter 1 has two fixing means 32 in the form of elastic clamping elements made of rubber in its receiving space 20 for fixing the functional adapter 1 to a magnetic stirrer 2. The sectional views in Figures 7 and 8 show that a depth of the receiving space 20 corresponds at least to a height of the existing magnetic stirrer 2 or - as Figure 8 PC 240374 J 22 / 37 April 15, 2024 shows - is greater than the height of the existing magnetic stirrer 2. The functional adapter 1 has two connection interfaces 21 in its receiving space 20 for an existing magnetic stirrer 2, via which current and / or control signals and / or data can be transmitted between the functional adapter 1 and the magnetic stirrer.In this way, it is possible to supply a magnetic stirrer 2 arranged in the receiving space 20 with power, data, and / or control signals via these connection interfaces 21, or to transmit power, data, and / or control signals to another functional adapter that can be connected to the functional adapter 1. The connection interfaces 21 in the receiving space 20 of the functional adapter 1 are matched to the corresponding connection interfaces 22 on the outer sides of the existing magnetic stirrer 2. On four different outer sides, the functional adapter 1 further has a coupling interface 23 for mechanical and / or electrical connection and / or for data connection of the functional adapter 1 to a control unit 24 and / or to another compatible functional adapter 1.With the help of these coupling interfaces 23, power and / or control signals can be transmitted via the functional adapter 1 to a functional adapter 1 connected to the functional adapter 1 and / or to a magnetic stirrer 2 equipped with the functional adapter 1. The connection interfaces 21 inside the receiving space 20 of the functional adapter 1 are electrically and / or signal-wise connected to the external coupling interfaces 23 of the functional adapter. In the embodiment of the functional adapter 1 shown in Figures 6 and 7, the functional adapter 1 has a total of five stirring points 25, each for driving a magnetic pickup, for example a stirring magnet. This functional adapter 1 is designed to convert an existing single-position magnetic stirrer 2 into a multi-position magnetic stirrer and also to upgrade it with a heating function.The functional adapter 1 has five rotatably mounted output drives 26 and a single magnetic coupling element 27 as five stirring points 25. The magnetic coupling element 27 can be magnetically coupled to a stirring drive 28 of an existing magnetic stirrer 2 and serves to at least indirectly drive the output drives 26 functioning as stirring points 25. Each output drive 26 comprises two magnets 31, namely two rare earth magnets, for magnetic coupling to a receiver, for example, a stirring magnet that can be inserted into a container 5 placed on the support surface 4 on the support plate 6 of the functional adapter 1. Figure 6 illustrates that the magnetic coupling element 27 is connected to the total of five output drives 26 of the functional adapter 1 via distributors 29, namely via belts.In this way, a rotary motion of a stirring drive 28 of an existing magnetic stirrer 2, fed into the functional adapter 1 via the magnetic coupling element 27, can be distributed to the five rotatably mounted output drives 26 of the functional adapter 1, which serve as stirring points of the functional adapter 1. PC 240374 J 24 / 37 15.April 2024 In order to minimize or completely avoid magnetic shielding between the stirring points 25 of the functional adapter 1 and magnetic pickups, for example a stirring magnet, the heat-conducting layer 9 is interrupted in at least one area, namely in the area of ​​the stirring points 25 of the functional adapter 1 – or in the case of the functional adapter 1 shown in Figure 8 – in the area of ​​a stirring point of the existing magnetic stirrer 2 – and / or filled with a suitable inlay that does not have a magnetic shielding effect, for example a stainless steel inlay, and / or reduced in terms of its layer thickness, for example from 2 mm to 0.5 mm, 0.4 mm or even 0.3 mm. The view of the heating element 8 in Figure 4 illustrates that the heating element 8 has a heatable surface 42 that is arranged or configured on the heating element 8 such that, in the position of use of the heating element 8, it is at a distance from the heat-conducting profile 11 on the heat-conducting profile 11.In this way, heat generated by the heatable surface 42 of the heating element 8 is prevented from being dissipated directly onto the heat-conducting profile 11. Figure 4 further illustrates that the heatable surface 42 of the heating element 8 is surrounded by an unheated edge region 33 of the heating element 8. This edge region 33 can be made of a mica material, which has good thermal insulation properties and thus counteracts direct heat dissipation onto the heat-conducting profile 11. In the unheated edge region 33 of the heating element 8, the heating element 8 also has edge-side, material-free cutouts 34. The material-free cutouts 34 border the heatable surface 42 of the heating element 8. The provision of material-free cutouts 34 in the edge region 33 of the heating element 8 has the advantage that contact between the heating element 8 and the heat-conducting profile 11 in these regions can be reduced or even completely avoided. PC 240374 J 25 / 37 15.April 2024 Accordingly, heat transfer from the heatable surface 42 of the heating element 8 to the heat-conducting profile 11 is minimized or even completely avoided at this point. The heating element 8 can be supplied with power via a power connection 43. The figures further illustrate that a seal 37 is arranged between the support plate 6 and the heat-conducting profile 11. The seal 37 has a circumferential sealing lip 38 facing the support plate 6 and prevents moisture from entering between the support plate 6 and the heat-conducting profile 11. The seal 37 is equipped with a series of light-passage segments 39. The light-passage segments 39 serve to define and shape an effective light exit cross-section of the light-passage openings 18 of the heat-conducting profile 11. In this way, it is possible to create the light-passage openings 18 in the heat-conducting profile 11, for example, using a milling cutter.The light passage openings 18 within the heat-conducting profile 11 are given a specific, namely rounded, shape by the use of a milling cutter. If it is desired to create angular or rectangular light segments 44 on the support plate 6, this can be done particularly easily using the appropriately shaped light passage segments 39 within the seal 37. The seal 37, with its light passage segments 39, thus serves as a shaping aperture, which ultimately determines the shape of the light segments 44 on the support plate 6 of the functional adapter 1. To prevent light from escaping laterally from a contact plane PC 240374 J 26 / 37 April 15, 2024 between the support plate 15 and the heat-conducting profile 11, the heating plate structure 3 has a screen 36 on the support plate 15 for each light source 16.The screens 36 extend a short distance into the light passage openings 18 of the heat-conducting profile 11 and prevent the light sources 16 arranged within the screens 36 from emitting their light laterally through a gap that may be present between the carrier plate 15 and the heat-conducting profile 11, which could impair the appearance of the functional adapter 1. The screens 36 can have a reflective coating, for example in the form of a white paint, and are designed such that they correspond to the radiation angles of the light sources 16 and thus do not impair upward light emission. This favors the formation of powerful light segments 44 as light indicators 41 on the upper side of the support plate 6. Figures 10 and 11 now show different magnetic stirrer arrangements 30, which comprise several magnetic stirrers 2 equipped with functional adapters 1.In the case of the magnetic stirrer arrangement 30 according to Figure 10, the functional adapters 1 are directly connected to one another via their housing-side coupling interfaces 23, and one of the functional adapters 1 is connected to a control unit 24. In the magnetic stirrer arrangement 30 according to Figure 11, the functional adapters 1 are connected to one another and to a control unit 24 via a cable. All functions of the functional adapters 1 and magnetic stirrer 2 combined in the system can be centrally controlled via the control units 24. Figure 9 also shows a magnetic stirrer arrangement 30 that comprises a PC 240374 J 27 / 37 April 15, 2024 individual magnetic stirrer 2 equipped with a functional adapter 1. To control the heating function of the functional adapter 1 and the magnetic stirrer 2 arranged within the functional adapter 1, a control unit 24 is connected to a coupling interface 23 of the functional adapter 1.The functional adapter 1 shown in Figure 12 has a total of five stirring points 25, 40, wherein the stirring point designated 40 is a central stirring point 40 surrounded by four stirring points 25. A large-volume container 5 can be placed on the central stirring point 40, as is used, for example, on the two left-hand functional adapters 1 shown in Figures 10 and 11. However, it is also possible, as shown for the right-hand functional adapter 1 in Figures 10 and 11, to place a container 5 on each of the five stirring points 25, 40 in order to mix the liquids contained therein. Figure 12 also shows the illuminated display 41 on the upper side of the support plate 6 adjacent to the support surface 4 of the support plate 6. The illuminated display 41 consists of a row of illuminated segments 44 that surround the heatable area of ​​the support surface 4. PC 240374 J 28 / 37 15.April 2024 List of reference symbols 1 Function adapter 2 Magnetic stirrer 3 Heating plate structure 4 Installation surface 5 Container 6 Installation plate 7 Insulation layer 8 Heating element 9 Thermally conductive layer 10 Tolerance compensation layer 11 Thermally conductive profile 12 Adhesive tape 13 Interior of 11 14 Thermally shielding layer 15 Carrier plate 16 Light source 17 Data bus 18 Light passage opening 19 Housing of 1 20 Receiving space of 1 21 Connection interface in 20 22 Connection interface of 2 23 Coupling interface 24 Control unit 25 Stirring point at 1 26 Output at 1 27 Magnetic coupling element at 1 28 Stirring drive of 2 29 Distributor, belt 30 Magnetic stirrer arrangement 31 Magnet at 26 32 Fixing agent 33 Unheated edge area of ​​8 PC 240374 J 29 / 37 15. April 2024 34 cutout in 33 contact surface screen seal sealing lip light transmission segment in 37 central stirring point illuminated display heatable area of ​​8 power connection illuminated segment.

Claims

PC 240374 J 30 / 37 April 15, 2024 Claims 1. A functional adapter (1) for expanding the functionality of an existing magnetic stirrer (2), wherein the functional adapter (1) comprises a heating plate structure (3) with a heatable support surface (4) for at least one container (5).

2. A functional adapter (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the heating plate structure (3) comprises a support plate (6) made of glass ceramic, on which the support surface (4) is formed, an insulating layer (7), a heating element (8), in particular a heating foil, and a heat-conducting layer (9), in particular made of aluminum sheet, wherein the heating element (8) is arranged between the support plate (6) and the insulating layer (7), and the insulating layer (7) is arranged between the heating element (8) and the heat-conducting layer (9). 3.Functional adapter (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the heating plate structure (3) has a tolerance compensation layer (10) between the insulation layer (7) and the heat-conducting layer (9), in particular a temperature-resistant fiber mat.

4. Functional adapter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating plate structure (3) has a heat-conducting profile (11), in particular made of aluminum, which is connected to the heat-conducting layer (9), in particular wherein the heat-conducting profile (11) is arranged between the mounting plate (6) and the heat-conducting layer (9).

5. Functional adapter (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the heat-conducting profile (11) is a closed, circumferential profile and / or has a heat-dissipating design and / or forms at least part of the outer contour of the heating plate structure (3). PC 240374 J 31 / 37 April 15, 2024 6. The functional adapter (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the mounting plate (6) is glued to the heat-conducting profile (11), for example by means of a temperature-resistant, preferably double-sided, adhesive tape (12) and / or temperature-resistant adhesive and / or temperature-resistant silicone.

7. The functional adapter (1) according to one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the heating element (8) is arranged and / or configured such that only an inner region of the mounting plate (6), in which the mounting surface (4) is formed, can be heated. 8.The functional adapter (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein a heatable surface (19) of the heating element (7) is spaced from the heat-conducting profile (11) and / or is surrounded by an unheated edge region (33), in particular formed from mica material, of the heating element (7), and / or wherein the heating element (7) has at least one edge-side, material-free cutout (34) adjacent to a heatable surface (19) of the heating element (7), and / or a support surface (35) in each of its corner regions, with which the heating element (7) contacts the heat-conducting profile (11) in the use position.

9. The functional adapter (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the insulation layer (7) consists of a microporous insulation material, polyurethane, rock wool, and / or glass wool. 10.Functional adapter (1) according to one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the heat-conducting profile (11) is frame-shaped and / or defines an interior space (13) in which the heating element (8) and / or the insulation layer (7) and / or the tolerance compensation layer (10) is / are arranged. PC 240374 J 32 / 37 April 15, 2024 11. The functional adapter (1) according to one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the heating plate structure (3) has a heat shielding layer (14), in particular made of stainless steel sheet, which is arranged on the heat-conducting layer (9), in particular on a side of the heat-conducting layer (9) facing away from the heating element (8) and / or the heat-conducting profile (11).

12. The functional adapter (1) according to one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the heating plate structure (3) has a carrier plate (15), in particular made of plastic, on an underside facing away from the support plate (6).

13. The functional adapter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional adapter (1) has at least one light source (16), in particular an LED, for generating a light display (41) on the support plate (6). 14.Functional adapter (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one light source (16) is arranged on the heating plate structure (3), in particular on the carrier plate (15) of the heating plate structure (3), preferably wherein the heating plate structure (3), preferably on the carrier plate (15), has a preferably reflective screen (36) for each light source (16) to protect against lateral light emission.

15. Functional adapter (1) according to one of claims 13 or 14, wherein the functional adapter (1) for generating the illuminated display (41) has a plurality of light sources (16) in the form of LEDs, in particular in the form of RGB LEDs and / or pixel LEDs, which are connected to one another via a data bus (17).

16. Functional adapter (1) according to one of claims 4 to 15, wherein the heat-conducting profile (11) has at least one. PC 240374 J 33 / 37 April 15, 2024 light passage opening (18) through which light from at least one light source (16) can be guided onto and through the mounting plate (6), preferably wherein the heat-conducting profile (11) has a plurality of such light passage openings (18), preferably surrounding the mounting surface (4) in an annular manner.

17. Functional adapter (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the mounting plate (6), at least in the region of the at least one light passage opening (18), is at least partially transparent or translucent and / or nub-free and / or has a ground glass and / or a filter and / or a tint. 18.Functional adapter (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein a seal (37) is arranged between the mounting plate (6) and the heat-conducting profile (11), preferably wherein the seal (37) has a sealing lip (38) facing the mounting plate (6) and / or at least one light passage segment (39) that defines an effective light exit cross-section of the at least one light passage opening (18) of the heat-conducting profile (11).

19. Functional adapter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional adapter (1) is designed as an attachment for placement on a mounting surface of a magnetic stirrer (2), and / or wherein the functional adapter (1) has a housing (19) with a receiving space (20) in which an existing magnetic stirrer (2) is arranged when the functional adapter (1) is positioned on the magnetic stirrer (2) in the use position.

20. Function adapter (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the functional adapter (1), in particular in the receiving space.PC 240374 J 34 / 37 April 15, 2024 (20), at least one fixing means (32), for example an elastic clamping element, preferably made of rubber, for fixing the functional adapter (1) to a magnetic stirrer (2), and / or wherein a depth of the receiving space (20) corresponds to a height of the existing magnetic stirrer (2) or is greater than the height of the existing magnetic stirrer (2).

21. Functional adapter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional adapter (1), in particular in its receiving space (20) for an existing magnetic stirrer (2), has at least one connection interface (21) via which current and / or control signals and / or data can be transmitted between the functional adapter (1) and the magnetic stirrer (2). 22.Functional adapter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional adapter (1) has at least one coupling interface (23) on at least one outer side for the mechanical and / or electrical connection and / or for the data connection of the functional adapter (1) to a control unit (24) and / or to another functional adapter (1) according to one of the claims directed thereto.

23. Functional adapter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional adapter (1) has at least one stirring point (25) for driving a magnetic pickup, in particular a stirring magnet.

24. Functional adapter (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the functional adapter (1) has, as the stirring point (25), at least one rotatably mounted output (26) and a magnetic coupling element (27) which can be magnetically coupled to a stirring drive (28) of a magnetic stirrer (2). PC 240374 J 35 / 37 April 15, 2024 with which the at least one output (26) can be driven at least indirectly.

25. Functional adapter (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one output (26) has at least one magnet (31), preferably at least two magnets (31), for magnetic coupling to a pickup, in particular to a stirring magnet.

26. Functional adapter (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one magnet (31) is a rare earth magnet. 27.Functional adapter (1) according to one of claims 23 to 26, wherein the functional adapter (1) has at least two rotatably mounted outputs (26) as stirring points (25), and wherein the magnetic coupling element (27) is connected to the at least two outputs (26) via a distributor (29), for example via at least one belt and / or a gear, so that a rotary movement fed into the functional adapter (1) via the magnetic coupling element (27) can be distributed to at least two rotatably mounted outputs (26) of the functional adapter (1).

28. Functional adapter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional adapter (1) has a, preferably central, stirring point (40) surrounded by at least two stirring points (25). 29.Functional adapter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat-conducting layer (9) is interrupted in at least one region, in particular at least in the region of the at least one stirring point (25) of the functional adapter (), and / or filled with a non-magnetically shielding inlay, for example a stainless steel inlay. PC 240374 J 36 / 37 April 15, 2024 and / or with respect to its layer thickness, for example from 2 mm to 0.5 mm or 0.4 mm or 0.3 mm, in order to minimize or completely avoid magnetic shielding between one or the stirring point (25), in particular of the functional adapter (1), and a magnetic pickup, for example a stirring rod.

30. Magnetic stirrer arrangement (30) comprising at least one magnetic stirrer (2) and at least one functional adapter (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

Images