Bioreactor End Plate Data Link for Reduced Sensor Cabling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bioreactors face challenges with complex cabling and handling difficulties due to multiple sensors and actuators, leading to confusion and restricted manageability, especially in smaller scales, which affects data transmission integrity and handling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A bioreactor design featuring a data transmission unit with a motor head piece, adapter pieces, and communicator pieces that facilitate signal communication between field devices and an evaluation unit, reducing cabling and enhancing handling through modular and adaptable components that convert analog signals to digital for robust transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors and actuators are connected via cables to ensure reliable data transmission, then data transmission integrity is improved, but device complexity and handling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable-based connection system with a wireless communication system. Field devices communicate with the control unit via wireless signals, eliminating the need for physical cables while maintaining data transmission reliability. This substitution resolves the contradiction by removing the mechanical constraint (cables) that caused complexity and handling difficulties.
2Reliability
If multiple cables are used to connect sensors and actuators for reliable data transmission, then data transmission integrity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to restricted handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable system with wireless communication, allowing the bioreactor to be handled, moved, and operated without the restriction of connected cables. This improves ease of operation while maintaining data transmission integrity through wireless protocols.
3Loss of information
If numerous cables are connected for multiple sensors and actuators, then complete data transmission is achieved, but ease of operation worsens due to confusion and restricted handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical cable network with a wireless communication system that simplifies the connection architecture. Multiple field devices communicate wirelessly with the control unit, eliminating cable management confusion while maintaining complete data transmission through protocol-based communication.
4Reliability
If cables are used to connect field devices for robust data transmission, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to cable management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the cable component from the system entirely, replacing it with wireless communication. This extraction eliminates the source of complexity (cable management) while maintaining the essential function of reliable data transmission through wireless protocols between field devices and the control unit.
Data Source
AI summary
A bioreactor has a container, an end plate, an agitator, a drive unit, and at least one field device arranged in the interior, field device electronics, a data transmission unit arranged on the end plate, and a motor head piece coupled in terms of energy to the drive unit. At least one communication unit is coupled in terms of signaling to the motor head piece and includes an adapter piece, having adapter electronics which are electrically connected to the field device electronics of the field device, and a communicator piece. The adapter piece and the communicator piece are separate components which can be coupled to one another, wherein the motor head piece is a separate component which can be coupled to the communication units.