Bioreactor, end plate for bioreactor, and data communication unit for end plate

Abstract

A bioreactor (1) comprising: a vessel (13); an end plate (11); an agitator; a drive unit (15); at least one field device (50, 50a, 50b) disposed in an interior (14) and having field device electronics; a data transmission unit disposed in the end plate (11) and having a motor head portion (40), the data transmission unit being couplable to an evaluation unit via a signal and coupled to the drive unit (15) via energy; the motor head portion (40) having motor head electronics; and at least one communication unit coupled to the motor head portion (40) via a signal. the communication unit has an adapter portion (20, 20a, 20b) having adapter electronics electrically connected to the field device electronics of the field device (50, 50a, 50b), the adapter electronics and / or communication electronics having a signal converter, the communication unit has a communication portion (30, 30a, 30b) having communication electronics electrically connected to the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics, the adapter portion (20, 20a, 20b) and the communication portion (30, 30a, 30b) being in the form of separate elements that can be coupled to each other, and the motor head portion (40) being in the form of a separate element that can be coupled to the communication unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bioreactor, in particular a bioreactor for culturing microorganisms and / or cells, an end plate for closing such a bioreactor, and a data communication unit for this end plate. The present invention also relates to a method for providing a data communication unit.

Background Art

[0002] A bioreactor, often also referred to as a fermenter, is a container in which a specific microorganism, cell or plant is cultured under preferably optimal, controlled and reproducible conditions so as to obtain the cell itself, or one of the parts of the cell or the products of cell metabolism. For this purpose, the bioreactor defines a reaction chamber that can accommodate a culture medium.

[0003] The bioreactor may have a volume of several milliliters, especially on the research scale such as screening, and may have a volume of thousands of cubic meters on the production scale. On the research scale, in particular for research and development purposes, bioreactors with a volume of up to 10 liters are preferably used. Bioreactors on the research scale are different from bioreactors on the production scale in terms of power input, mass, and material transport, as well as the materials used. Since bioreactors need to be sterilized, preferably by high-temperature steam sterilization using an autoclave, between different applications, bioreactors on the research scale are formed from glass and / or metal, especially stainless steel. Instead of using reusable bioreactors, it is also possible to use disposable bioreactors. Disposable bioreactors are used to carry out a single biological or biotechnology process and are then discarded. By using new disposable bioreactors that are preferably sterilized in the production process and provided in each individual process, the risk of contamination is suppressed, and at the same time, the labor required to carry out the cleaning and sterilization processes can be eliminated.

[0004] The bioreactor usually has an agitator, and the agitator shaft is rotated by a drive unit. As a result, the agitator elements connected to the agitator shaft in a mode having torsional rigidity are similarly rotated, and the substances existing in the reaction chamber, particularly the culture medium, are sufficiently mixed. In particular, two or more agitator elements may be preferably arranged on the agitator shaft with an axial interval and may be connected to the agitator shaft. The agitator elements may be integrally formed with the agitator shaft.

[0005] In addition, the bioreactor often has a plurality of connections, primary and secondary materials, and various instruments such as sensors and / or actuators, which may be introduced into the reaction chamber. In particular, gas lines such as fluid lines, gas introduction lines or gas exhaust lines may be preferably connected through these connections.

[0006] With the assistance of sensors and / or actuators, it is possible to aim for the optimal production of products. For this purpose, sensors for monitoring the conditions in the reaction chamber, particularly the pH value, redox potential, O2 content in the cell culture medium and exhaust air, CO2 content in the exhaust air, temperature, optical density of the cell culture, foaming, glucose content, glycerin content, and / or lactic acid content are generally used. Furthermore, various actuators, for example, Peltier coolers and / or light rods, may be provided to provide optimal culture conditions.

[0007] Sensors and actuators, if present, are each connected, via cables, to corresponding measurement modules, and / or evaluation units and / or control units. These cables are generally well protected and are specifically designed, for example, to protect the integrity of data that can be significantly impaired by external influences such as electromagnetic fields. The number of cables in the case of multiple sensors and / or actuators can cause many difficulties. Furthermore, the number of cables limits the handling of the bioreactor. The limitations in handling are particularly pronounced, for example, in the case of bioreactors having a small scale, such as in the range of 300 mL. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Accordingly, the present invention is based on the object of providing an improved solution that addresses at least one of the above-mentioned problems. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a solution that improves the handling of the bioreactor and at the same time enables robust data transmission.

[0009] According to a first aspect, the initially described object is achieved by means of a bioreactor, in particular a bioreactor for culturing microorganisms and / or cell cultures, comprising a container, an end plate designed to close the container, an agitator shaft guided into the interior of the container through the end plate, an agitator having an agitator element connected to the agitator shaft inside the container, a drive unit arranged on the end plate and coupled to the agitator shaft, at least one field device arranged inside and having field device electronics, where the end plate has an inner side surface, an outer side surface opposite the inner side surface, an agitator connection device designed to guide the agitator shaft through the end plate and connect it to the drive unit, at least one field device connection device designed to connect to the field device on the inner side surface, and a data transmission unit arranged on the outer side surface, the data transmission unit being connectable to an evaluation unit via a signal, being coupled to the drive unit via energy, and having a motor head part having motor head electronics, and at least one communication unit coupled to the motor head part via a signal, the communication unit having an adapter part having adapter electronics electrically connected to the field device electronics of the field device, and a communication part having communication electronics electrically connected to the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics, the adapter electronics being configured to communicate signals between the field device electronics and the communication electronics, the signals carrying field device information and measurement information and / or control information, the communication electronics being configured to communicate signals between the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics, the data transmission unit further having a signal converter which is preferably part of the adapter electronics and / or part of the communication electronics, the adapter part and the communication part being in the form of individual elements connectable to each other, and the motor head part being in the form of an individual element connectable to the communication unit.

[0010] One desirable embodiment provides a bioreactor, particularly a bioreactor for culturing microorganisms and / or cell cultures, comprising a container, an end plate designed to close the container, an agitator shaft guided into the interior of the container through the end plate, an agitator having an agitator element connected to the agitator shaft inside the container, a drive unit arranged on the end plate and coupled to the agitator shaft, at least two field devices arranged inside and each having field device electronics, where the end plate has an inner side, an outer side opposite the inner side, an agitator connection device designed to guide the agitator shaft through the end plate and connect it to the drive unit, at least two field device connection devices each designed to connect to one field device on the inner side, and a data transmission unit arranged on the outer side, the data transmission unit being connectable to an evaluation unit via a signal, being coupled to the drive unit via energy, having a motor head part with motor head electronics, and at least two communication units each coupled to the motor head part via a signal, each communication unit having an adapter part with adapter electronics electrically connected to the field device electronics of one field device, and a communication part with communication electronics electrically connected to the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics, the adapter electronics being configured to communicate signals between the field device electronics and the communication electronics, the signals carrying field device information, measurement information, and / or control information, the communication electronics being configured to communicate signals between the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics, the data transmission unit further having a signal converter, desirably part of the adapter electronics and / or part of the communication electronics, the adapter part and the communication part being in the form of individual elements connectable to each other, and the motor head part being in the form of an individual element connectable to the communication units.

[0011] The solution described herein provides a bioreactor having an end plate and a data transmission unit disposed outside the end plate, enabling the transmission of signals between a field device and an evaluation unit. Such a bioreactor has a container closed by an end plate and an interior, preferably defining a reaction chamber. The bioreactor particularly has an agitator that can be driven by a drive unit to mix well the culture medium in the reaction chamber. The bioreactor further has a field device or two or more field devices, particularly sensors and / or actuators disposed inside, to monitor and / or set desired reaction conditions. In this case, the field device is disposed at the field device connection device of the end plate. The data transmission unit is disposed outside the end plate and is designed to communicate between the field device and the evaluation unit. The data transmission unit has a motor head, at least one adapter part, and at least one communication part. The motor head may preferably be installed on the drive unit.

[0012] The bioreactor, especially the end plate, may desirably be provided with different field devices, especially sensors and / or actuators. The field device may be in the form of, for example, a sensor, an actuator, or other elements of the bioreactor. The bioreactor may desirably have field devices so as to monitor parameters that can be measured while culturing bacteria, animal, and human cells. Such parameters may desirably be temperature, pH value, dissolved oxygen content, and the actual values of actuators such as, for example, pumps, agitators, Peltier coolers, light rods, and / or gas introduction systems. In addition, further field devices may be provided so as to identify data such as, for example, living cells, nutrient content, and / or metabolite concentration. The field device in the form of a sensor may be in the form of, for example, a pH sensor, a redox potential sensor, a temperature sensor, a dissolved oxygen content sensor, etc. The field device in the form of an actuator may be in the form of, for example, a pump, an agitator, a Peltier cooler, and / or a light rod, etc.

[0013] According to the field device, it is possible to select and / or generate an appropriate adapter part, and the adapter part electronic device is designed to receive signals from the field device and / or transmit signals to this field device.

[0014] The communication electronic device of the communication part is electrically connected to the motor head electronic device so as to receive signals from the field device, especially through the adapter part, transmit these signals to the motor head electrical device, and / or receive signals from the motor head electronic device and transmit these to the field device, especially through the adapter part. As a result, the motor head electronic device can receive signals from individual field devices and / or transmit signals to the latter.

[0015] The signal converter is designed to convert signals. The signal converter may desirably be part of an adapter electronic device and / or part of a communication electronic device, and / or both the adapter electronic device and the communication electronic device may each have a signal converter.

[0016] The analog signal from the field device is desirably first converted to a standardized signal (e.g., from 0 V to 4.095 V), and then to a digital signal (e.g., from 0 to 4095). This conversion is desirably performed in a communication unit, particularly in an adapter electronic device and / or a communication electronic device. The adapter sub - electronic device may desirably be designed to receive signals from the communication electronic device, convert them by a signal converter, and transmit them to the adapter electronic device. For example, the signal may be completely converted in the adapter electronic device. The signal may be completely converted in the communication electronic device. The signal may be partially converted in the adapter electronic device and partially converted in the communication electrical device. For example, the analog signal from the field device may be converted to an analog standardized signal in the adapter electronic device, and the analog standardized signal may be converted to a digital signal in the communication electronic device.

[0017] As a result of different adapter parts constituted by field devices, the bioreactor may be individually adapted according to customer requirements. Particularly desirably, the bioreactor may be individually manufactured according to customer requirements.

[0018] This configuration enables the realization of a particularly beneficial design of the bioreactor. In particular, the cables in the bioreactor can be suppressed. This results in a more organized overall laboratory workbench and easier handling of the bioreactor.

[0019] A configuration in which a common communication part is provided for two or more field devices each having an associated adapter part is also possible. In such a configuration, the communication part, particularly the communication electronic device, is preferably designed to communicate with the adapter electronic devices of two or more adapter parts.

[0020] The drive unit may preferably have a drive electronic device designed to communicate with the motor head electronic device. The drive electronic device and the motor head electronic device may preferably be electrically connected to each other in a wireless manner, particularly via radio or a cable. In particular, energy may be supplied through contact, preferably in a wired manner or in a wireless manner, particularly inductively. A desirable inductive energy supply may preferably be supplied by an inductive source in the motor head part.

[0021] The drive electronic device may preferably be designed to control the drive unit. The drive electronic device may preferably be arranged in a spatially separated manner from the drive unit. For example, the drive electronic device may be arranged together with the evaluation unit and / or the control unit.

[0022] The motor head may be coupled to the drive unit so as to supply energy to the drive unit, for example, through energy. Energy may be supplied to the drive unit independently of the motor head.

[0023] The agitator has an agitator shaft with agitator elements, which is guided internally through an end plate. The agitator shaft is coupled to a drive unit arranged on the end plate. The drive unit may preferably act on the upper end of the agitator shaft. The agitator shaft may preferably be mounted in a bearing so as to be rotatable around the axis of rotation. In particular, the agitator elements may be attached to the agitator shaft in a manner having torsional rigidity.

[0024] The agitator shaft may desirably be arranged substantially vertically and may form an agitator together with the agitator elements. The agitator elements may desirably move respectively in a horizontal plane. Particularly desirably, the agitator elements may be inclined in the vertical direction, particularly with respect to the agitator shaft. The agitator elements may desirably have different inclinations in the vertical direction, particularly with respect to the agitator shaft. The bioreactor may have two or more agitators.

[0025] The container may desirably be formed from plastic or glass. Particularly desirably, the container may have a dimensionally stable design. The container may desirably have a base and a wall surrounding the base. This configuration enables the container to be cleaned and sterilized so that it can be reused.

[0026] The bioreactor may desirably be in the form of a disposable bioreactor. The container may particularly be flexible and desirably be in the form of a bag. This configuration can avoid the need for complex sterilization and cleaning processes. Furthermore, the risk of distorted or unusable results due to incomplete sterilization and the resulting process interruptions can be reduced and particularly avoided.

[0027] The container may desirably have a feed device for supplying starting materials and a removal opening for removing the final product and / or samples. The feed device may desirably be arranged at the upper part of the container, and the removal opening may be arranged at the lower part of the container.

[0028] The evaluation unit may particularly preferably be in the form of a reactor controller. The reactor controller may preferably collect data from field devices, visualize and store the data. These data may preferably be stored together with process data in a central database. As a result, the data may be particularly available for process progress within the reactor controller and may preferably be used for monitoring and / or process control. In particular, the data may be evaluated and used to control an actuator based on the acquired data.

[0029] In further advantages of the first aspect, variations of the embodiments, and details of the embodiments and their possible developments, reference is made to the following description of the corresponding features and developments of the second and third aspects.

[0030] According to a second aspect, the initially described object is achieved by means of an end plate for closing the bioreactor, the end plate having an inner side, an outer side opposite the inner side, an agitator connection device designed to guide an agitator shaft through the end plate and connect to a drive unit connectable to the agitator shaft, at least one field device connection device designed to connect to a field device on the inner side, and a data transmission unit arranged on the outer side, the data transmission unit being connectable via a signal to an evaluation unit and connectable via energy to a drive unit which may be arranged on the end plate of the bioreactor, the data transmission unit having a motor head part having motor head electronics and at least one communication unit connected via a signal to the motor head part, the communication unit having an adapter part having adapter electronics electrically connectable to the field device electronics of the field device and a communication part having communication electronics electrically connected to the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics, the adapter electronics being configured to communicate signals between the field device electronics and the communication electronics, the signals carrying field device information and measurement information and / or control information, the communication electronics being configured to communicate signals between the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics, the data transmission unit further having a signal converter which is preferably part of the adapter electronics and / or part of the communication electronics, the adapter part and the communication part being in the form of individual elements connectable to each other, and the motor head part being in the form of an individual element connectable to the communication unit.

[0031] Desirably provide an end plate for closing the bioreactor, the end plate having an inner side surface, an outer side surface opposite the inner side surface, an agitator connection device designed to guide an agitator shaft through the end plate and connect to a drive unit connectable to the agitator shaft, at least two field device connection devices designed to connect to field devices on the inner side surface respectively, and a data transmission unit disposed on the outer side surface, the data transmission unit being connectable to an evaluation unit through a signal and being connectable to a drive unit that may be disposed on the end plate of the bioreactor through energy, having a motor head portion with motor head electronics, and at least two communication units respectively connected to the motor head portion through signals, the communication units each having an adapter portion with adapter electronics electrically connectable to the field device electronics of one field device, and a communication portion with communication electronics electrically connected to the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics, the adapter electronics being configured to communicate signals between the field device electronics and the communication electronics, the signals carrying field device information and measurement information and / or control information, the communication electronics being configured to communicate signals between the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics, the adapter portion and the communication portion being in the form of individual elements connectable to each other, the data transmission unit further having a signal converter that is desirably part of the adapter electronics and / or part of the communication electronics, and the motor head portion being in the form of an individual element connectable to the communication unit.

[0032] The solution described in this specification provides an end plate for closing a bioreactor, a data transmission unit arranged outside the end plate and enabling signal transmission between a connectable field device and an evaluation unit connectable through a signal. Such an end plate has an inner side and an outer side. The end plate may preferably be adapted and attached to the container of the bioreactor such that the inner side faces the inside of the container and defines the inside. The outer side may preferably be formed on the opposite side of the inner side and may in particular face away from the inside of the container. The end plate further has an agitator connection device for attaching an agitator to an agitator shaft in the end plate and connecting a drive unit to the agitator shaft. In addition, the end plate has a field device connection device for connecting one or more field devices, in particular sensors and / or actuators, to the end plate.

[0033] The field device connection device may preferably be all devices for attaching the field device. In particular, the field device may be attached to these field device connection devices in a form-fit and / or press-fit manner.

[0034] The field device connection device may preferably have a membrane that closes the inside and preferably seals it. The membrane may be designed to guide the field device from outside the bioreactor through the membrane and insert it inside. As a result of the sterility achieved by providing the membrane, the field device can be installed and / or retrofitted and / or retrofitted particularly easily in the bioreactor as required. Furthermore, this enables the field device to be replaced particularly easily in the event of a defect.

[0035] For further advantages of the second aspect, variations of the embodiments, and details of the embodiments and their possible developments, reference is made to the following description of the corresponding features and developments of the third aspect and the above description of the corresponding features and developments of the first aspect.

[0036] According to a third aspect, the initially described object is achieved by means of a data transmission unit for the end plate of a bioreactor, the data transmission unit being connectable via a signal to an evaluation unit and connectable via energy to a drive unit which may be arranged on the end plate of the bioreactor, having a motor head part with motor head electronics and at least one communication unit connected via a signal to the motor head part, the communication unit having an adapter part with adapter electronics electrically connectable to the field device electronics of a field device and a communication part having communication electronics electrically connected to the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics, the adapter electronics being configured to communicate signals between the field device electronics and the communication electronics, the signals carrying field device information and measurement information and / or control information, the communication electronics being configured to communicate signals between the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics, the data transmission unit further preferably having a signal converter which is part of the adapter electronics and / or part of the communication electronics, the adapter part and the communication part being in the form of individual elements connectable to each other, and the motor head part being in the form of an individual element connectable to the communication unit.

[0037] Desirably provide a data transmission unit for the end plate of a bioreactor, the data transmission unit being connectable to an evaluation unit via a signal and connectable to a drive unit that may be arranged on the end plate of the bioreactor via energy, having a motor head portion with motor head electronics and at least two communication units each connected to the motor head portion via a signal, the communication units each having an adapter portion with adapter electronics electrically connectable to the field device electronics of a field device and a communication portion with communication electronics electrically connected to the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics, the adapter electronics being configured to communicate signals between the field device electronics and the communication electronics, the signals carrying field device information and measurement information and / or control information, the communication electronics being configured to communicate signals between the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics, the data transmission unit further having a signal converter, desirably part of the adapter electronics and / or part of the communication electronics, the adapter portion and the communication portion being in the form of separate elements connectable to each other, and the motor head portion being in the form of a separate element connectable to the communication units.

[0038] The present invention is based, inter alia, on the knowledge that signals from field devices, in particular sensor signals, are susceptible to interference. Field devices designed to transmit and / or receive analog signals are commonly used. Analog signals are particularly susceptible to interference. Therefore, the transmission of these signals using long cables, desirably cables having a length of at least 100 cm, can be particularly disadvantageous.

[0039] The present invention is based on the knowledge that in known solutions, each field device is often individually connected to an evaluation unit via a cable so as to transmit a signal. When more than one field device is used, the cables of the individual field devices cause confusion and can undesirably affect, especially in terms of ease of installation and / or use, particularly the manageability of the data transmission unit. In addition, a direct connection of the field unit to the evaluation unit requires the development of appropriate modules or corresponding evaluation electronics for each field device so that signals can be received or evaluated from various field devices and / or signals can be transmitted to various field devices. For this reason, in previously known solutions, when using a new field device, corresponding evaluation electronics or appropriate modules have to be developed. This often results in a longer waiting time before the new field device can be used.

[0040] The solution described herein provides a motor head part and a data transmission unit having at least one communication unit, preferably at least two communication units. The communication unit has an adapter part and a communication part. Connecting the motor head part to the evaluation unit via a signal and connecting each adapter part to the field device via a signal enables the data transmission unit to robustly transmit signals between the field device and the evaluation unit.

[0041] The adapter parts, which are specially configured by the field device for which use is intended, may preferably be selected and / or generated for each field device. These adapter parts each have adapter electronics designed to receive signals from the corresponding field device and / or to transmit signals to this field device.

[0042] Different field devices are generally configured to send different signals carrying field device information and measurement information and / or to receive different signals carrying control information. For example, a field device may send and / or receive digital or analog signals. In particular, a field device may send and / or generate signals in a specific frequency range or in the DC range. For this reason, it is beneficial to use correspondingly configured adapter parts, so that these signals can be converted and sent to the communication part and / or received from the communication part, converted, and sent to the field device.

[0043] Sending a signal carrying field device information and measurement information enables sending to the communication part data related to the field device, such as measurement data obtained with the aid of the field device and, desirably, information regarding the field device used to obtain these measurement data. The field device information may desirably communicate the field device type to the communication electronics.

[0044] Communicating the type of the field device enables sending the nature of the field device. These natures may include the sensor type and / or the actuator type and whether these signals are digital or analog and / or similar.

[0045] Receiving a signal carrying control information and sending these signals to the field device enables controlling the latter. In particular, it becomes possible to activate and / or deactivate and / or adjust and / or calibrate the field device.

[0046] In contrast to the adapter part, the communication part may desirably have the same design in each communication unit. The communication part may thus desirably have a standard configuration. The communication electronics of each communication part receives signals from the field device through the adapter part and transmits the signals to the motor head electronics, and / or receives signals from the motor head electronics and transmits the signals to the field device through the adapter part, and is electrically connected to the motor head electronics. As a result, the motor head electronics may receive signals from each field device and / or transmit signals to the latter.

[0047] In this case, the motor head part may be coupled to the evaluation unit, at least from the perspective of signaling. In particular, the motor head electronics may be electrically connected to the evaluation electronics of the evaluation unit. The motor head part may desirably be designed to be coupled to the evaluation unit through energy. As a result, the evaluation unit may desirably supply energy to the motor head electronics.

[0048] The motor head part is connected to the drive unit, at least from the perspective of energy, and is designed to supply energy to the drive unit. In particular, the motor head electronics may be electrically connected to the drive electronics of the drive unit. The motor head part may desirably be designed to be coupled to the drive unit through a signal.

[0049] The coupling of two elements through a signal and / or energy is understood to mean that the corresponding electronics of these elements are electrically connected to each other and are desirably designed to transmit a signal and / or energy. The transmission of a signal and / or energy may desirably be understood to mean the transmission and / or reception of a signal and / or energy.

[0050] The motor head portion, the adapter portion, and the communication portion may each be separate elements that are coupled to each other. Each communication portion may desirably be combined with the adapter portion.

[0051] The data transmission unit may be individually adapted to customer requirements by virtue of the advantages of different adapter portions configured for the field device.

[0052] By the proposed solution, the evaluation unit does not need to have individual evaluation electronics for each field device. Transmitting the measurement information and the signal carrying the field device information, desirably a standardized signal, makes it possible in particular to evaluate the signals transmitted through the various communication units and motor head portions using a single set of evaluation electronics.

[0053] By the proposed solution with the adapted adapter portion, only the correspondingly configured adapter portion needs to be designed on the hardware side. Thus, the hardware expenditure associated with integrating new field devices in the system is significantly lower.

[0054] Signal processing may be made more robust by using the adapter portion in the immediate vicinity of the field device, in particular by converting analog and / or digital signals that are less susceptible to direct influence at the location where they are generated.

[0055] The advantage of this solution is the fact that it enables the realization of a type of standardization such that the adapter portion brings about a simplification of signal processing. In addition, the number of elements required to condition the signal can be reduced.

[0056] The motor head may desirably be electrically connectable or may be connected to a feeder cable. The feeder cable may desirably have four wires, in addition to any wires supplying energy to the drive unit, specifically two for supplying energy to the motor head electronics and two for transmitting data. The wires for transmitting data may, for example, conform to the RS485 standard. This is particularly robust and enables communication that is susceptible to errors.

[0057] The motor head electronics may desirably be designed to transmit signals to an evaluation unit or, for example, to receive signals from the latter using Modbus. The motor head electronics may be designed to operate between a field device and an evaluation unit or a control unit in bridge operation and, in addition, to operate as a hub for field devices on a bioreactor.

[0058] Particularly desirably, the data transmission unit may have an evaluation unit, and the evaluation unit is coupled to the motor head part through signals.

[0059] The evaluation unit may desirably be designed to receive signals from the data transmission unit and evaluate the signals. The evaluation unit may be designed to generate signals and transmit the signals to the data transmission unit. These signals may desirably be used to control and / or calibrate field devices. Particularly desirably, the evaluation unit may receive signals from the data transmission unit, evaluate these signals, and, based on these signals, generate signals and transmit the signals to the data transmission unit.

[0060] The evaluation unit may desirably have a user interface that enables the operator to operate the data transmission unit. As a result, the field device may be controlled and / or the data may desirably be read manually. Further, the drive unit may desirably be controlled by the operator.

[0061] The data transmission unit for the end plate of the bioreactor desirably has a motor head portion that can be coupled to the evaluation unit through a signal and can be coupled to a drive unit that may be arranged on the end plate of the bioreactor through energy, has motor head electronics, and has a communication unit coupled to the motor head portion through a signal. The communication unit has an adapter portion having adapter electronics that can be electrically connected to the field device electronics of the field device, and a communication portion having communication electronics electrically connected to the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics. The adapter electronics are configured to communicate signals between the field device electronics and the communication electronics, and the signals carry field device information and measurement information and / or control information. The communication electronics are configured to communicate signals between the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics. The data transmission unit desirably further has a signal converter that is part of the adapter electronics and / or part of the communication electronics. The adapter portion and the communication portion are in the form of individual elements that can be coupled to each other, and the motor head portion is in the form of an individual element that can be coupled to the communication unit.

[0062] According to one desirable development of the data transmission unit, the adapter part has a field device interface and a communication interface, the adapter electronic device is connected between the field device interface and the communication interface, and can be electrically connected to the field device electronic device through the field device interface, and is electrically connected to the communication electronic device through the communication interface. The communication part has an adapter interface and a motor head interface, the communication electronic device is connected between the adapter interface and the motor head interface, is electrically connected to the adapter electronic device through the adapter interface, and is electrically connected to the motor head electronic device through the motor head interface.

[0063] The adapter electronic device may desirably be designed to transmit and / or receive signals through the field device interface and / or the communication interface. In this case, the adapter electronic device may in particular be designed to convert signals from the field device interface into signals of the communication interface. Furthermore, the adapter electronic device may in particular be designed to convert signals from the communication interface into signals of the field device interface.

[0064] The communication electronic device may desirably be designed to transmit and / or receive signals through the adapter interface and / or the motor head interface. In this case, the communication electronic device may be designed to convert signals from the adapter interface into signals of the motor head interface. Furthermore, the communication electronic device may in particular be designed to convert signals from the motor head interface into signals of the adapter interface.

[0065] The field device interface and / or communication interface and / or adapter interface and / or motor head interface may desirably be a hardware interface that may be designed to connect physical systems in electrical engineering and electronics to each other. As a result, the individual elements may desirably be connected to each other, and the electronics of the individual elements may be electrically connected to each other.

[0066] The field device interface and / or communication interface and / or adapter interface and / or motor head interface may desirably be in the form of an analog and / or digital interface. In particular, the field device interface and / or communication interface and / or adapter interface and / or motor head interface may be in the form of USB, FireWire, EIA - 232, PCI - Express, SPI, I2C, RS232, RS485, DMX, Serial ATA, or Profibus. Particularly desirably, the field device interface and / or communication interface and / or adapter interface and / or motor head interface may be in the form of an RS485 interface.

[0067] The adapter electronics may desirably be arranged on a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board desirably has pins. The printed circuit board may desirably have at least two pins configured to enable an electrical connection between the adapter electronics and the field device electronics, and these pins may desirably be configured as outputs and / or inputs. Additionally, the printed circuit board may desirably have two pins configured to supply energy. The printed circuit board may particularly have two spring contacts that enable an electrical connection between the adapter electronics and the communication electronics.

[0068] Additional pins that are configured may be hard - coded on the printed circuit board of the adapter electronic device and may transfer the bit pattern corresponding to the communication electronic device. Alternatively or in addition, this transfer may be performed using the corresponding protocol, and the digital signal preferably already exists in the adapter electronic device.

[0069] The communication electronic device may preferably be housed on a printed circuit board and / or the motor head electronic device may be housed on a printed circuit board.

[0070] Particularly preferably, the data transmission unit has at least one first group of first adapter parts and one second group of second adapter parts. The adapter electronic device of the first adapter part is designed to communicate signals between the field - device electronic device of the first field device and the communication electronic device, and the adapter electronic device of the second adapter part is designed to communicate signals between the field - device electronic device of the second field device and the communication electronic device. The adapter part of each communication unit is selected from at least the first group of the first adapter part and the second group of the second adapter part based on the field device to be coupled.

[0071] This preferred embodiment provides a modular system. This system preferably has different groups of adapter parts that are preferably configured according to different field devices. The adapter parts are particularly selected based on and may be coupled to the latter. This makes it possible to use different field devices.

[0072] The communication parts may preferably be substantially identical and may be designed to be coupled to each adapter part.

[0073] In particular, it becomes possible to provide a data transmission unit that is individually adapted to the customer's requirements. It has the advantage that the data transmission unit can be retrofitted and / or improved.

[0074] According to a further desirable modification of the embodiment, the adapter part has a field device coupling designed to mechanically, preferably releasably, connect the field device to the adapter part. Particularly preferably, the adapter part may be screwed to the field device.

[0075] The field device coupling may preferably be formed at the field device interface. Particularly preferably, the field device may as a result be electrically and mechanically connected to the adapter part.

[0076] This enables the adapter part to be connected to the field device in a particularly simple manner. Furthermore, the mechanical connection of these parts enables a particularly compact field device / adapter part unit that allows for easy handling.

[0077] The releasable connection of the adapter part to the field device preferably enables the field device and / or the adapter part to be replaced.

[0078] It is desirable for the communication part to have an adapter coupling, and the adapter coupling may be designed to mechanically, preferably releasably, connect the adapter part to the communication part.

[0079] The adapter coupling may preferably be formed at the adapter interface. Particularly preferably, the communication part may as a result be electrically and mechanically connected to the adapter part.

[0080] This enables the communication part to be connected to the adapter part in a particularly simple manner. Furthermore, the mechanical connection of these parts enables a particularly compact communication part / adapter part unit that allows for easy handling.

[0081] The releasable connection of the communication part to the adapter part may desirably also allow the replacement of the communication part and / or the adapter part.

[0082] In particular, it is desirable that the adapter part has a field device coupling, which is designed to mechanically and desirably releasably connect the field device to the adapter part, and / or that the communication part has an adapter coupling, which is designed to mechanically and desirably releasably connect the adapter part to the communication part.

[0083] Particularly preferably, the field device coupling may be designed to connect the field device to the adapter part by bayonet, screw or click connection. The field device coupling may desirably be formed in the adapter part housing. In particular, the field device may have an adapter coupling designed to engage with the field device coupling.

[0084] Particularly preferably, the adapter coupling may be designed to connect the communication part to the adapter part by bayonet, screw or click connection. The adapter coupling may desirably be formed in the communication part housing. In particular, the adapter part may have a communication coupling designed to engage with the adapter coupling.

[0085] According to a further desirable modification of the embodiment, the signal converter is an analog / digital converter. Furthermore, the adapter electronic device and / or the communication electronic device and / or the signal converter are desirably configured to receive an analog signal, to convert these into a standardized analog signal, and to convert the standardized analog signal into a digital signal, and to transmit the digital signal, and / or vice versa.

[0086] A modification of this embodiment enables an analog signal, which is preferably generated by a field device electronic device and transmitted to an adapter electronic device, to be converted into a digital signal in the adapter electronic device and / or the communication electronic device. Since the digital signal can assign the signal level of the digital signal to a correct value within a specific tolerance, it is generally less susceptible to interference in transmission. In particular, a differential digital signal is particularly robust against external interference.

[0087] The communication electronic device may preferably have a repeater and / or a signal conditioner, and is designed to receive a digital signal, adjust the signal by the repeater and / or the signal conditioner, and transmit the adjusted digital signal. This makes it possible to correct errors and, in particular, remove extra noise when necessary. This advantage means that only useful signals may preferably be transmitted to the motor head electronic device as a result of the adjustment of the digital signal in the communication electronic device.

[0088] In particular, the motor head electronic device may have a repeater and / or a signal conditioner to adjust the digital signal received from the communication part.

[0089] The conversion of the analog signal into a digital signal may enable the signal to be transmitted in a more robust manner.

[0090] The signal converter may preferably have a repeater and / or a signal conditioner configured to adjust the digital signal. This modification of the embodiment is particularly beneficial when the adapter part is configured to receive a digital signal from the field device and / or receive a digital signal from the communication part and transmit it to the field device.

[0091] In analog transmission, it is possible to use current signals, especially current signals with an offset zero point of 0 mA - 20 mA or 4 mA - 20 mA, or voltage signals, especially voltage signals with an offset zero point of <0 V - 5 V, 0 V - 10 V, 1 V - 5 V, a voltage signal with an offset zero point of 2 V - 10 V, or a voltage signal with or without an offset zero point of -10 V - 10 V.

[0092] Particularly preferably, the current signal may be used as a standardized signal. These are particularly less affected by electromagnetic interference and voltage loss.

[0093] In particular, an analog sensor signal from a field device may be converted into a standardized signal (e.g., from 0 V to 4.095 V) and transferred as a converted digital signal (e.g., 0 - 4095).

[0094] It is desirable that the communication electronics and / or the motor head electronics are configured to convert the signal into a radio signal, to receive the signal wirelessly or in contact, preferably by a wired method, to transmit these by radio or wired method and / or vice versa. This enables wireless transmission of signals between the communication electronics and the motor head electronics. This configuration makes it possible to reduce or avoid cables on the data transmission unit. This simplifies, in particular, the ease of management and, in particular, the attachment process of the data transmission unit to the end plate of the bioreactor.

[0095] According to a modification of this embodiment, the communication part and / or the motor head part may have an antenna configured to transmit and / or receive radio signals. The antenna may preferably have flexibility. This makes it possible to achieve an optimal closure of the field between the motor head part and the communication part.

[0096] The conversion to a radio signal may be performed, for example, using modulation. In particular, the original signal or the information in the original signal may be recovered by demodulation and may be transferred and / or further processed.

[0097] As a result of a modification of this embodiment, it is not necessary to install any electrical cable between the communication part and the motor head part.

[0098] It is desirable that the adapter electronic device is configured to convert a signal to a radio signal, to receive a signal in a wireless or in a contact manner, preferably in a wired manner, to transmit these in a radio or wired manner and / or vice versa. This enables wireless transmission of signals between the adapter electronic device and the communication electronic device. This configuration enables reduction or avoidance of cables on the data transmission unit. This simplifies in particular the ease of management and in particular the attachment process of the data transmission unit to the end plate of the bioreactor.

[0099] According to a modification of this embodiment, the communication part and / or the adapter part may have an antenna configured to transmit and / or receive radio signals. The antenna may preferably have flexibility. This enables optimal closure of the field between the adapter part and the communication part. A further possible form is an integrated antenna on the printed circuit board of the communication electronic device and / or on the printed circuit board of the adapter electronic device.

[0100] The conversion to a radio signal may be performed, for example, using modulation. In particular, the original signal or the information in the original signal may be recovered by demodulation and may be transferred and / or further processed.

[0101] As a result of a modification of this embodiment, it is not necessary to install any electrical cable between the communication part and the adapter part.

[0102] The modem may be used to convert a signal, desirably a digital signal, into a radio signal and / or vice versa. The communication electronic device and / or the adapter electronic device desirably desirably has a modem configured to convert a digital signal into a radio signal and / or vice versa.

[0103] The adapter electronic device and / or the communication electronic device may desirably be designed to receive a radio signal, convert it into the original digital signal, and transmit the original digital signal.

[0104] The signal may desirably be transmitted between the adapter electronic device and the communication electronic device through contact, desirably through a wire, or through radio and / or vice versa. Particularly desirably, the signal may be transmitted between the communication electronic device and the motor head electronic device through contact, desirably through a wire, or through radio and / or vice versa.

[0105] The radio signal may desirably generally be based on the Bluetooth protocol or a protocol modified therefrom, and particularly may be based on Bluetooth Low Energy, Zigbee, 6LoWPAN, and / or (other) wireless protocols. In particular, a radio connection having an extremely short range and thus low transmission power may be implemented.

[0106] The wired connection may desirably generally be carried out by a cable that is extremely short, particularly semi-flexible. In particular, a cable that is attached to the communicator by a connector that is fixed, desirably fixed by screwing, can be used. For example, the opposite side of the cable may desirably be coupled to the motor head portion or the adapter portion in the form of a connector, for example, a connector that tapers in a wedge shape and / or a spring contact. The connection between the cable and the motor head is desirably releasably fixed, for example, by a latch connection and / or a magnetic connection. This enables, on the one hand, to ensure a fast and easy coupling and, on the other hand, to ensure a manual release of the lock realized by the latch mechanism.

[0107] According to a variant of a particularly preferred embodiment, the data transmission unit is connectable to the evaluation unit via a signal and connectable to a drive unit that may be arranged on the end plate of the bioreactor via energy, and has a motor head portion having motor head electronics and at least two communication units each connected to the motor head portion via a signal, each communication unit having an adapter portion having adapter electronics electrically connectable to the field device electronics of the field device and a communication portion having communication electronics electrically connected to the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics, the adapter electronics having an analog / digital converter and being configured to receive analog signals, convert them into digital signals, transmit digital signals, and / or vice versa so as to communicate signals between the field device electronics and the communication electronics, the signals carrying field device information and measurement information and / or control information, the communication electronics being configured to communicate signals between the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics, the adapter portion and the communication portion being separate elements connectable to each other, and the motor head portion being in the form of a separate element connectable to the communication unit.

[0108] This configuration enables the use of a field device that generates analog signals, particularly signals that are particularly susceptible to influence, and transmits these signals to the adapter portion. This enables connecting the adapter portion to a conventional field device that cannot generate digital signals.

[0109] Signal transmission, particularly more robust signal transmission, is made possible by converting the signal at the generated location. Digital signals are clearer and more precisely defined than analog signals. Therefore, these signals can be more easily reconstructed, have a higher degree of interference immunity, and enable more flexible further processing.

[0110] According to an alternative and particularly desirable modification of the embodiment, the data transmission unit can be coupled to the evaluation unit through a signal and can be coupled to a drive unit that may be arranged on the end plate of the bioreactor through energy. It has a motor head portion having motor head electronics and at least two communication units coupled to the motor head portion through a signal. Each communication unit has an adapter portion having adapter electronics electrically connectable to the field device electronics of the field device and a communication portion having communication electronics electrically connected to the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics. The adapter electronics has an analog / digital converter and is configured to receive analog signals, convert them into standardized signals, transmit the standardized signals, and / or vice versa so as to communicate signals between the field device electronics and the communication electronics. The signals carry field device information and measurement information and / or control information. The communication electronics is configured to communicate signals between the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics. The adapter portion and the communication portion are separate elements that can be coupled to each other, and the motor head portion is in the form of a separate element that can be coupled to the communication unit.

[0111] This configuration enables the use of field devices that generate analog, particularly susceptible signals, and transmit these signals to the adapter portion. This enables connecting the adapter portion to conventional field devices that cannot generate digital signals.

[0112] As a result of the conversion of the signal from the field device to the standard signal, the latter may be transferred and processed. Additionally, standardization allows the use of a standardized communication portion that communicates with different adapter portions.

[0113] Particularly desirably, the current signal may be used as the standardized signal. These are particularly less susceptible to the effects of electromagnetic interference and voltage loss. This enables transmitting the signal in a more robust manner. Furthermore, as a result, the analog / digital converter itself can be permanently energized.

[0114] According to an alternative and particularly desirable variant of the embodiment, the data transmission unit can be coupled to the evaluation unit via a signal and can be coupled to a drive unit which may be arranged on the end plate of the bioreactor via energy. The data transmission unit has a motor head part having motor head electronics and at least two communication units coupled to the motor head part via a signal. Each communication unit has an adapter part having adapter electronics which can be electrically connected to the field device electronics of the field device, and a communication part having communication electronics electrically connected to the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics. The adapter electronics has a signal converter, preferably an analog / digital converter, and is preferably configured to communicate signals between the field device electronics and the communication electronics such that it receives analog signals, converts them into standardized signals, transmits the standardized signals, and / or vice versa. The signals carry field device information and measurement information and / or control information. The communication electronics has an analog / digital converter and is configured to receive an analog signal, convert it into a digital signal, transmit the digital signal, or vice versa, so as to communicate signals between the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics. The adapter part and the communication part are separate elements that can be coupled to each other, and the motor head part is in the form of a separate element that can be coupled to the communication units.

[0115] The above-mentioned variations of each particularly desirable embodiment ensure more robust signal transmission. In bioprocess technology, robust signal transmission and accurate transmission of related information are extremely important. When culturing microorganisms and / or cell cultures, each individual parameter is critically important. For example, the composition of the culture medium, pH value, and temperature are particularly important. Therefore, even small fluctuations can affect the growth curve. In addition, it should be remembered that microorganisms and / or cell cultures consume the nutrients in the culture medium. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately manage the nutrient concentration, preferably in real time, so that the supply of nutrients can be regulated. Furthermore, microorganisms and / or cell cultures may result in different formations as a result of metabolism. In particular, the formation needs to be monitored in real time so as to control this by adjusting other parameters to avoid excessive formation that may cause overflow of the bioreactor.

[0116] According to an alternative and particularly desirable variant of the embodiment, the data transmission unit can be coupled to the evaluation unit via a signal and can be coupled to a drive unit which may be arranged on the end plate of the bioreactor via energy, and has a motor head part having motor head electronics and at least two communication units coupled to the motor head part via a signal, each communication unit having an adapter part having adapter electronics electrically connectable to the field device electronics of the field device and a communication part having communication electronics electrically connected to the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics, the adapter electronics having a signal converter configured to communicate a signal between the field device electronics and the communication electronics, the signal carrying field device information and measurement information and / or control information, and the communication electronics being configured to receive the signal in contact, preferably in a wired manner, communicate the signal between the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics, convert the signal into a radio signal and transmit these radio signals, and / or vice versa, the adapter part and the communication part being separate elements connectable to each other, and the motor head part being in the form of a separate element connectable to the communication unit.

[0117] In this preferred embodiment, the signal converter may preferably be an analog / digital converter or a repeater and / or a signal conditioner. In particular, if the adapter part may be connected to an analog sensor, the signal converter may be in the form of an analog / digital converter. In particular, if the adapter part may be connected to a digital sensor, the signal converter may be in the form of a repeater and / or a signal conditioner.

[0118] Alternatively, the signal converter may be, for example, an analog / digital converter. In this case, the communication electronics may have an analog / digital converter and may be configured to receive standardized analog signals, convert these into digital signals and convert the digital signals into radio signals.

[0119] Variations of this preferred embodiment combine the above-described advantages of different configurations of the signal transducer with the advantages of radio transmission. In particular, it is possible to reduce or avoid the cables of the data transmission unit. This simplifies, in particular, the ease of management, especially on the end plate of the bioreactor, and in particular the mounting process of the data transmission unit.

[0120] According to a further variation of the preferred embodiment, the field device interface, and / or the communication interface, and / or the adapter interface, and / or the motor head interface are provided in the form of a connection on the cable, and the cable preferably has a length of 20 cm or less.

[0121] The connection may in particular be in the form of a connector arranged on the cable.

[0122] The cable may preferably have a maximum length of 50 cm, 20 cm, 15 cm, 10 cm, 8 cm, 6 cm, 5 cm, or 4 cm. The maximum length of the cable preferably depends on the dimensions of the bioreactor.

[0123] Particularly short cables do not require the use of cables that are longer than necessary, and thus, since the cables are reduced, the ease of management can be improved. This may preferably result in a tidier appearance. In addition, signal transmission may be improved.

[0124] It is particularly desirable for the motor head part to be coupled to the communication part through energy, and the motor head electronics is configured to supply energy, particularly power, to the communication electronics, and / or the communication part is coupled to the adapter part through energy, and the communication electronics is configured to supply energy, particularly power, to the adapter electronics, and / or the adapter part is coupled to the field device through energy, and the adapter electronics is configured to supply energy, particularly power, to the field device electronics, and the power is preferably transmitted through contact, preferably in a wired manner and / or inductively.

[0125] A desirable dielectric energy supply may preferably be supplied by a dielectric source in the motor head part.

[0126] The motor head electronics and / or the communication electronics and / or the adapter electronics may preferably have supply electronics. The motor head part may be configured as a power distributor, in particular to supply power to all communication electronics electrically connected to the motor head electronics. This makes it possible to ensure a particularly simple design of the data transmission unit. In particular, the individual elements, namely, preferably the adapter part and / or the communication part, may have a particularly simple configuration. This eliminates the need to electrically connect the individual elements to the supply line or to provide other energy sources in the elements.

[0127] This configuration makes it possible, for example, to supply energy to the field device.

[0128] According to a further desirable variant of the embodiment, the motor head part has a communication interface electrically connected to the communication electronic device and a feeder interface to which the feeder cable can be electrically connected. The feeder interface may be electrically connected to the evaluation electronic device of the evaluation unit, the motor head electronic device is connected between the communication interface and the feeder interface, and the motor head electronic device is configured to transmit signals between the communication electronic device electrically connected to the communication interface and the evaluation interface electrically connected to the feeder interface. The feeder interface is used, in particular, to connect the evaluation unit, in particular the evaluation electronic device, to the motor head part, in particular the motor head electronic device, preferably through the feeder cable.

[0129] The motor head electronic device may preferably be designed to transmit and / or receive signals through the communication interface and / or the feeder interface. In this case, the motor head electronic device may be designed to convert, in particular, signals from the communication interface into signals of the feeder interface. Furthermore, the adapter electronic device may be designed to convert, in particular, signals from the feeder interface into signals of the communication interface.

[0130] It is desirable that the motor head electronic device is configured to transmit signals based on the bus protocol through the bus system or a plurality of bus systems to the communication electronic device of the communication part or to receive signals from the communication electronic device of the communication part. This configuration makes it possible to electrically connect all communication units to the motor head part through the bus line. As a result, the motor head part may receive signals from the communication unit through this one bus line and / or transmit signals to the communication unit through this bus line. This is beneficial in that signals may be transmitted simultaneously through the bus line. It is also possible to provide two or more bus lines, in particular two or more different bus lines.

[0131] In one variant, the motor head part may be configured to be coupled to the evaluation unit via a bus line via a signal.

[0132] In one variant, the motor head part may be coupled to the drive unit via a signal and may be designed to control the drive unit.

[0133] The adapter part and / or the communication part and / or the motor head part may preferably have a storage unit designed to store signals.

[0134] According to a preferred embodiment, the adapter part may have a polymer, plastic, glass fiber reinforced nylon, glass fiber reinforced acetyl, aluminum or aluminum alloy, or may be composed of a polymer, plastic, glass fiber reinforced nylon, glass fiber reinforced acetyl, aluminum or aluminum alloy.

[0135] The communication part may preferably have a polymer, plastic, glass fiber reinforced nylon, glass fiber reinforced acetyl, aluminum or aluminum alloy, or may be composed of a polymer, plastic, glass fiber reinforced nylon, glass fiber reinforced acetyl, aluminum or aluminum alloy.

[0136] The motor head part may preferably have a polymer, plastic, glass fiber reinforced nylon, glass fiber reinforced acetyl, anodized metal, aluminum or aluminum alloy, or may be composed of a polymer, plastic, glass fiber reinforced nylon, glass fiber reinforced acetyl, anodized metal, aluminum or aluminum alloy.

[0137] Particularly preferably, the communication unit may each have a field device, and the adapter device is electrically connected to the field device electronics of the field device.

[0138] In further advantages, modifications and details of the embodiments, and possible developments of this third aspect, reference is made to the corresponding features and developments of the first and second aspects described above.

[0139] According to a further aspect of the invention, the initially described object is achieved by the use of a data transmission unit for a bioreactor and / or an end plate.

[0140] According to a further aspect of the invention, the initially described object is achieved by a method of providing a data transmission unit, which may be coupled to an evaluation unit via a signal and may be coupled to a drive unit, which may be arranged on the end plate of the bioreactor via energy and which has a motor head part with motor head electronics, and by assembling a communication unit, the step of assembling the communication unit comprising selecting an adapter part having adapter electronics respectively based on a field device coupled to these adapter parts, providing a communication part each having communication electronics, coupling an adapter part to each of the communication parts among the communication parts, electrically connecting the adapter electronics to the communication electronics respectively, and electrically connecting the communication electronics to the motor head electronics respectively.

[0141] As a result of the modular system, the adapter parts may be selected and coupled based on a field device. This system preferably has different groups of adapter parts configured preferably by different field devices.

[0142] The communication parts may preferably be substantially identical and may be designed to couple to each of the adapter parts.

[0143] Thus, in particular, it is possible to provide a data transmission unit that is individually adapted to the requirements of the customer. The fact that the data processing unit can be retrofitted and / or improved is an advantage.

[0144] For further advantages of these further aspects, variants of the embodiments and details of the embodiments, and possible developments thereof, reference is made to the above description of the corresponding features and developments of the first, second and third aspects.

[0145] Desirable exemplary embodiments are explained by way of example on the basis of the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0146]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0147] In the drawings, identical or substantially functionally identical or similar elements are denoted by the same reference signs.

[0148] FIG. 1 shows a cross section of a bioreactor 1 having a container 13 and an end plate 11 closing the container 13. The container 13 or its wall and the end plate 11 enclose an interior 14. The interior 14 may define the reaction chamber of the bioreactor 1.

[0149] The bioreactor 1 has an agitator shaft 12 which is guided inside 14 and coupled to a drive unit 15 arranged on the end plate 11. The drive unit 15 may be used to rotate the agitator shaft 12 and the agitator of the bioreactor 1 so as to thoroughly mix the contents, desirably the reaction medium.

[0150] The bioreactor 1 shown in FIG. 1 has two field devices 50a, 50b each coupled to a communication unit. The communication unit is part of a data transmission unit.

[0151] It is possible to have only one field device and only one communication unit, or to have more than two field devices and thus more than two communication units. It is also possible to configure more than two field devices to be connected to a common communication part using respective adapter parts.

[0152] The data transmission unit is installed in the drive unit 15 and has a motor head part 40 which is coupled to the drive unit 15 at least through energy. The motor head part 40 is thus designed to supply energy to the drive unit 15. In particular, the motor head electronics may be electrically connected to the drive electronics of the drive unit 40. The motor head part 40 may desirably also be designed to be coupled to the drive unit 15 through signals. As a result, the motor head electronics may desirably also control the drive unit.

[0153] The feeder cable 43 is connected to the motor head part 40. This feeder cable 43 desirably has at least four wires, two for supplying energy and two for transmitting data. The motor head part 40 may be electrically connected to an evaluation unit through the feeder cable 43. The wires carrying the signals may, for example, enable data to be transmitted by EIA465 / RS485. The use of differential-based transmission technology enables particularly robust communication that is less susceptible to errors.

[0154] The motor head electronic device may desirably be designed to transmit signals to the evaluation unit, for example, using Modbus, or to receive signals from the evaluation unit. The motor head electronic device may be designed to operate between the field device and the evaluation unit or the control unit in a bridging operation and, in addition, to operate as a hub for the field devices on the bioreactor.

[0155] The evaluation unit may desirably be designed to receive signals, desirably signals from the data transmission unit, and to evaluate these signals. The evaluation unit may be designed to generate signals and transmit them to the data transmission unit. These signals may desirably be used to control and / or calibrate the field devices 50a, 50b. Particularly desirably, the evaluation unit may receive signals from the data transmission unit, evaluate these signals, generate signals based on these signals, and transmit them to the data transmission unit.

[0156] The communication unit may each have an adapter part 20a, 20b and a communication part 30a, 30b, respectively. The adapter parts 20a, 20b have adapter electronic devices that are electrically connected to one field device electronic device of the field devices 50a, 50b. The communication parts 20a, 20b have communication electronic devices that are electrically connected to the adapter electronic devices and the motor head electronic device of the motor head 40.

[0157] The motor head portion 40 shown in Fig. 1 is connected to the communication portions 30a, 30b by wires. For this purpose, the motor head portion 40 has sockets 42 each in the form of a communication interface. The motor head interfaces 31a, 31b of the communication portions 30a, 30b are each in the form of a connection on the cable 32, and the cable 32 may be permanently or removably attached to the motor head interfaces 31a, 31b. In this case, the connection is in the form of a connector configured to connect to the contacts of the socket 42 of the motor head portion 40.

[0158] This configuration enables signals to be communicated between the field devices 50a, 50b and the adapter portions 20a, 20b, between the adapter portions 20a, 20b and the communication portions 30a, 30b, and between the communication portions 30a, 30b and the motor head portion 40. Adapter electronic devices (not shown in Fig. 1) each have a signal converter to convert signals from the field devices 50a, 50b, preferably into standardized signals, and transmit the signals to the communication electronics of the communication portions 30a, 30b. The adapter electronic devices may preferably be designed to receive signals from the communication electronics, convert them by the signal converter, and transmit them to the field device electronics.

[0159] The field devices 50a, 50b, the adapter portions 20a, 20b, the communication portions 30a, 30b, and the motor head portion 40 are individual elements that are coupled to each other.

[0160] As a result of the motor head portion 40 being coupled to the evaluation unit through signals and each of the adapter portions 20a, 20b being coupled to the field devices 50a, 50b through signals, signals can be transmitted between at least two field devices 50a, 50b and the evaluation unit by the data transmission unit.

[0161] The different field devices 50a, 50b are generally configured to transmit different signals carrying field device information and measurement information and / or to receive different signals carrying control information. For example, the field devices 50a, 50b may transmit and / or receive digital or analog signals. In particular, the field devices 50a, 50b may generate analog signals. For this reason, it is necessary to use the corresponding adapter parts 20a, 20b configured to convert these signals and transmit them to the communication parts 30a, 30b and / or to receive these signals from the communication parts 30a, 30b, convert them, and transmit them to the field devices 50a, 50b.

[0162] In contrast to the adapter parts 20a, 20b, the communication parts 30a, 30b may desirably have the same design for each communication unit. The communication parts 30a, 30b may thus desirably have a standard configuration. The communication electronics of each communication part 30a, 30b are electrically connected to the motor head electronics to receive signals from the field devices 50a, 50b through the adapter parts 20a, 20b and transmit these signals to the motor head electronics and / or to receive signals from the motor head electronics and transmit them to the field devices 50a, 50b through the adapter parts 20a, 20b. As a result, the motor head electronics can receive signals from the individual field devices 50a, 50b and / or transmit signals to the latter.

[0163] As a result of the different adapter parts 20a, 20b configured according to the field devices 50a, 50b, the bioreactor 1, in particular the data transmission unit, may be individually adapted to the customer's requirements. As a result, only the correspondingly configured adapter parts 20a, 20b need to be designed on the hardware side, and the expenses associated with integrating new field devices 50a, 50b in the bioreactor 1 are thus significantly lower.

[0164] Figure 2 shows, on the left, a communication unit coupled to the field device 50 and having an adapter part 20 and a communication part 30. According to the exemplary embodiment shown here, the adapter part 20 is directly installed on the field device 50 and electrically connected to the latter. The communication part 30 is likewise directly installed on the adapter part 20 and connected to the latter. The communication part 30 has a motor head interface 31 in the form of a connection on the cable. In this case, the connection is in the form of a connector and is configured to be connected to the contacts 44 of the socket 42 on the motor head part. The socket 42 is formed on the housing 41 of the motor head part.

[0165] Figure 3 shows a field device 50 having a connection interface 51 that can be coupled to the field device interface 22 of the adapter part 20. The connection interface 51 and the field device interface 22 enable the adapter part 20 to be coupled to the field device 50. Adapter electronics (not shown in Figure 3) are housed in a printed circuit board, PCBA 24.

[0166] The adapter part 20 has a field device interface 22 in the form of pins 23 on a printed circuit board 24. By way of the example shown here, the printed circuit board has a total of six pairs of pins. At least two pins may be configured, for example, to effect an electrical connection between the adapter electronics and the field device electronics, and these pins 23 are preferably configured as outputs and / or inputs. In addition, the printed circuit board 24 may preferably have two pins 23 configured to supply energy. The printed circuit board may in particular have two spring contacts that effect an electrical connection between the adapter electronics and the communication electronics. The printed circuit board may have, for example, a sample assignment of +24V, GND, RS485+, RS485-, Analog1, Analog2.

[0167] The pins 23 may preferably have partial metallization of the contact area, in particular gold plating.

[0168] Figure 4 shows an exemplary method step of providing a data transmission unit. In this case, it can be coupled to an evaluation unit through a signal and can be coupled to a drive unit that can be arranged on the end plate of the bioreactor through energy. The motor head part having motor head electronics is selected or provided in step 110. In a further step 120, a communication unit is assembled. The step 120 of assembling the communication unit includes a step 121 of selecting an adapter part having adapter electronics respectively based on a field device coupled to the adapter part, a step 122 of providing a communication part having communication electronics respectively, a step 123 of coupling the adapter part to the respective communication part of the communication part, and respective steps 124 of electrically connecting the adapter electronics to the communication electronics. The communication electronics are electrically connected to the motor head electronics in step 130.

Explanation of Signs

[0169] 1 Bioreactor 11 End plate 12 Agitator shaft 13 Container 14 Inside of the container 15 Drive unit 20 Adapter part 20a First adapter part 20b Second adapter part 21 Printed circuit board / PCBA 22 Field device interface 23 Pin 24 Printed circuit board / PCBA 30 Communication part 30a First communication part 30b Second communication part 31 Motor head interface 31a Motor head interface 31b Motor head interface 32 Cable 40 Motor head part 41 Housing of the motor head part 42 Socket of the motor head part 43 Feeder cable 44 Contact of the socket 50 Field device / sensor / actuator 50a First field device / first sensor / first actuator 50b Second field device / second sensor / second actuator 51 Connection interface 110 Selecting the motor head part 120 Assembling the communication unit 121 Selecting the adapter part 122 Providing the communication part 123 Connecting the adapter part 124 Electrically connecting the adapter electronic device to the communication electronic device 130 Electrically connecting the communication electronic device to the motor head electronic device

Claims

1. A bioreactor (1) for culturing in particular microorganisms and / or cell cultures, comprising: a container (13); an end plate (11) designed to close the container (13); an agitator having an agitator shaft (12) guided through the end plate (11) into the interior (14) of the container (13) and an agitator element connected to the agitator shaft (12) in the interior (14) of the container (13); a drive unit (15) arranged on the end plate (11) and coupled to the agitator shaft (12); at least one field device (50, 50a, 50b) arranged in the interior (14) and having field device electronics; characterized in that the end plate (11) has an inner side surface, an outer side surface opposite the inner side surface, an agitator connection device designed to guide the agitator shaft (12) through the end plate (11) and connect it to the drive unit (15), at least one field device connection device designed to connect to the field device (50, 50a, 50b) on the inner side surface, and a data transmission unit arranged on the outer side surface; wherein the data transmission unit is connectable via a signal to an evaluation unit and is connected via energy to the drive unit (15) and has a motor head part (40) having motor head electronics, and at least one communication unit connected via a signal to the motor head part (40); wherein the communication unit has an adapter part (20, 20a, 20b) having adapter electronics electrically connected to the field device electronics of the field device (50, 50a, 50b), and a communication part (30, 30a, 30b) having communication electronics electrically connected to the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics; wherein the adapter electronics is configured to communicate signals between the field device electronics and the communication electronics, the signals carrying field device information and measurement information and / or control information, the communication electronics is configured to communicate the signals between the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics, and the data transmission unit further has a signal converter. The adapter part (20, 20a, 20b) and the communication part (30, 30a, 30b) are in the form of separate elements that can be coupled to each other, The motor head part (40) is a bioreactor (1) in the form of a separate element that can be coupled to the communication unit. **Claim 2**: The bioreactor according to claim 1, wherein the signal converter is part of the adapter electronic device and / or part of the communication electronic device. **Claim 3** An end plate (11) for closing the bioreactor (1), an inner side surface and an outer side surface opposite to the inner side surface, an agitator connection device designed to guide an agitator shaft (12) through the end plate (11) and connect it to a drive unit (15) that can be coupled to the agitator shaft (12), at least one field device connection device designed to connect to a field device (50, 50a, 50b) on the inner side surface, a data transmission unit arranged on the outer side surface, comprising The data transmission unit is connectable to an evaluation unit through a signal, is connectable to the drive unit (15) that can be arranged on the end plate (11) of the bioreactor (1) through energy, and has a motor head part (40) having motor head electronics, and at least one communication unit coupled to the motor head part (40) through a signal, having The communication unit has an adapter part (20, 20a, 20b) having adapter electronics that can be electrically connected to the field device electronics of the field device (50, 50a, 50b), and a communication part (30, 30a, 30b) having communication electronics electrically connected between the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics, having The adapter electronics are configured to communicate signals between the field device electronics and the communication electronics, The signals carry field device information, measurement information, and / or control information, The communication electronics are configured to communicate the signals between the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics, The data transmission unit further has a signal converter, The adapter part (20, 20a, 20b) and the communication part (30, 30a, 30b) are in the form of separate elements that can be coupled to each other, The motor head portion (40) is an end plate (11) in the form of an individual element that can be coupled to the communication unit. **Claim 4**: The end plate according to claim 3, wherein the signal converter is part of the adapter electronic device and / or part of the communication electronic device. **Claim 5** A data transmission unit for the end plate (11) of the bioreactor (1), coupled to an evaluation unit via a signal and coupled to a drive unit (15) that can be arranged on the end plate (11) of the bioreactor (1) via energy, having a motor head portion (40) with motor head electronics; at least one communication unit coupled to the motor head portion (40) via a signal; having each of the communication units an adapter portion (20, 20a, 20b) having adapter electronics electrically connectable to the field device electronics of field devices (50, 50a, 50b); a communication portion (30, 30a, 30b) having communication electronics electrically connected between the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics; having the adapter electronics configured to communicate a signal between the field device electronics and the communication electronics; the signal carrying field device information and measurement information and / or control information; the communication electronics configured to communicate the signal between the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics; the data transmission unit further having a signal converter; the adapter portion (20, 20a, 20b) and the communication portion (30, 30a, 30b) being in the form of individual elements that can be coupled to each other; the motor head portion (40) being in the form of an individual element that can be coupled to the communication unit, the data transmission unit. **Claim 6** The adapter portion (20, 20a, 20b) has a field device interface and a communication interface; the adapter electronics being connected between the field device interface and the communication interface; electrically connectable to the field device electronics through the field device interface; electrically connected to the communication electronics through the communication interface. The communication parts (30, 30a, 30b) have an adapter interface and a motor head interface, The communication electronic device is connected between the adapter electronic device and the motor head interface, is electrically connected to the adapter electronic device through the adapter interface, is electrically connected to the motor head electronic device through the motor head interface. The data transmission unit according to claim 5. **Claim 7**: comprising at least one first group of the first adapter part and at least one second group of the second adapter part, The adapter electronic device of the first adapter part (20a) is designed to communicate the signal between the field device electronic device of the first field device (50a) and the communication electronic device, The adapter electronic device of the second adapter part (20b) is designed to communicate the signal between the field device electronic device of the second field device (50b) and the communication electronic device, The adapter parts (20, 20a, 20b) of each communication unit are selected from at least the first group of the first adapter part (50a) and the second group of the second adapter part (50b) based on the field devices (50, 50a, 50b) to be coupled. The data transmission unit according to claim 5 or 6. **Claim 8** The adapter parts (20, 20a, 20b) have a field device coupling designed to mechanically connect the field devices (50, 50a, 50b) to the adapter parts (20, 20a, 20b), The communication parts (30, 30a, 30b) have an adapter coupling designed to mechanically connect the adapter parts (20, 20a, 20b) to the communication parts (30, 30a, 30b). The data transmission unit according to any one of claims 5 to 7. **Claim 9** The signal converter is an analog / digital converter, and / or The adapter electronic device and / or the communication electronic device and / or the signal converter are configured to receive an analog signal, convert it into a standardized analog signal, convert the standardized analog signal into a digital signal, transmit the digital signal, and / or perform the reverse. The data transmission unit according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

10. The communication electronic device and / or the motor head electronic device are configured to receive the signal, either in a non-contact manner or in contact, convert the signal into a radio signal, transmit the radio signal by radio or wired means, and / or vice versa, according to any one of claims 5 to 9. The data transmission unit described.

11. The adapter electronic device is configured to receive the signal, either in a non-contact manner or in contact, convert the signal into a radio signal, transmit the radio signal by radio or wired means, and / or vice versa, according to any one of claims 5 to 10. The data transmission unit described.

12. The field device interface, and / or the communication interface, and / or the adapter interface, and / or the motor head interface are in the form of a connection on a cable, according to claim 6 or any one of claims 7 to 11. The data transmission unit described.

13. The motor head portion (40) is coupled to the communication portion (30, 30a, 30b) through energy, and the motor head electronic device is configured to supply power to the communication electronic device, and / or, The communication portion (30, 30a, 30b) is coupled to the adapter portion (20, 20a, 20b) through energy, and the communication electronic device is configured to supply power to the adapter electronic device, and / or, The adapter portion (20, 20a, 20b) is coupled to the field device (50, 50a, 50b) through energy, and the adapter electronic device is configured to supply power to the field device electronic device, according to any one of claims 5 to 12. The data transmission unit described.

14. The motor head portion (40) A communication interface electrically connected to the communication electronic device; A feeder interface to which a feeder cable can be electrically connected; And has, The feeder interface can be electrically connected to the evaluation electronic device of the evaluation unit, The motor head electronic device is connected between the communication interface and the feeder interface. The motor head electronic device is configured to communicate signals between the communication electronic device electrically connected to the communication interface and the evaluation electronic device electrically connectable to the feeder interface, the data transmission unit according to any one of claims 5 to 13.

15. The motor head electronic device is configured to transmit a signal based on a bus protocol to the communication electronic device of the communication part (30, 30a, 30b) through a bus system or a plurality of bus systems, or to receive the signal from the communication electronic device of the communication part (30, 30a, 30b), the data transmission unit according to any one of claims 5 to 14.

16. In particular, the end plate (11) described in at least claim 3, and / or in particular, the data transmission unit according to any one of claims 5 to 15 for the bioreactor (1) described in at least claim 1.

17. The signal converter is part of the adapter electronic device and / or part of the communication electronic device, the data transmission unit according to claim 5.

18. The field device coupling releasably connects the field device (50, 50a, 50b) to the adapter part (20, 20a, 20b), The adapter coupling releasably connects the adapter part (20, 20a, 20b) to the communication part (30, 30a, 30b), the data transmission unit according to claim 8.

19. The communication electronic device and / or the motor head electronic device receive the signal by a wired method, the data transmission unit according to claim 10.

20. The adapter electronic device receives the signal by a wired method, the data transmission unit according to claim 11.

21. The cable has a length of 50 cm or less, the data transmission unit according to claim 12.

22. The adapter electronic device transmits and supplies power by a wired method and / or dielectrically, the data transmission unit according to claim 13.

23. A step (110) of providing a motor head portion having a motor head electronic device, which is connectable to an evaluation unit through a signal and connectable to a drive unit that can be arranged on an end plate of a bioreactor through energy, Step (120) of assembling at least one communication unit, including, Step (120) of assembling at least one communication unit includes Step (121) of selecting the adapter portion having adapter electronics based on a field device coupled to the adapter portion, Step (122) of providing a communication portion having communication electronics, Step (123) of coupling the adapter portion to the communication portion, Step (124) of electrically connecting the adapter electronics to the communication electronics, and Step (130) of electrically connecting the communication electronics to the motor head electronics, a method of providing a data transmission unit.

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