Liquid Mixing System with Adjustable Drive Motor Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid mixing systems for bioreactors and fermenters require multiple bags of varying sizes to ensure homogeneous mixing, which is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and costly, and increases the risk of contamination and cell damage.
Innovation Solution
A liquid mixing system with a support housing, a mount, and a drive motor assembly that can be selectively raised and lowered between at least two positions, using a four bar linkage system to adjust the angular orientation of the drive motor assembly and maintain optimal mixing conditions across varying liquid volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If multiple bags of varying sizes are used to maintain optimal mixing conditions, then mixing homogeneity is improved, but device complexity and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing element is made vertically adjustable along the drive shaft, allowing its position to be dynamically changed to match different liquid volumes. This dynamic positioning capability enables a single mixing system to maintain optimal mixing conditions across multiple volume ranges, replacing the need for multiple fixed-position mixing bags.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple bags of varying sizes are used to maintain optimal mixing conditions, then mixing homogeneity is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing system is designed with universal applicability across multiple volume ranges by combining an adjustable mixing element with a vertically extendable drive shaft. This multi-functional design allows a single mixing assembly to handle various liquid volumes effectively, eliminating the need to switch between different mixing containers and reducing processing time.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple bags of varying sizes are used to maintain optimal mixing conditions, then mixing homogeneity is improved, but risk of contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing system uses a single reusable mixing assembly with adjustable positioning capability that can accommodate multiple liquid volumes. This eliminates the need to transfer liquids between multiple bags, thereby maintaining mixing homogeneity while significantly reducing contamination risks associated with repeated transfers and bag openings.
4Device complexity
If the mixing element remains at a fixed position, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different volumes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing element incorporates vertical adjustability along the drive shaft, transforming it from a fixed-position component to a dynamically positionable one. This dynamic feature enables the simple mixing assembly to adapt to different liquid volumes effectively, achieving high volume adaptability without substantially increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid mixing system includes a support housing at least partially bounding a compartment. A mount is secured to the support housing. A drive motor assembly is configured to engage a drive shaft for moving the drive shaft within the compartment of the support housing. A four bar linkage system extends between the mount and the drive motor assembly, the four bar linkage system being movable between a first position wherein the drive motor assembly is disposed at a first elevation and a second position wherein the drive motor assembly is disposed at a second elevation that is different from the first elevation.