Electromagnetic Fluid Mixer With Integrated Viscosity Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mixing and viscosity measurement techniques for fluids, particularly viscous substances like milk, face challenges such as inconsistent mixing, contamination risks, noise, and incompatibility with varying container sizes, which hinder accurate determination of somatic cell count and viscosity.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a resilient, food-grade silicone strap with a magnet that uses an electromagnetic coil to create a pulsing magnetic field for mixing and a sensing mechanism to measure viscosity, allowing for controlled mixing and simultaneous viscosity determination without obstructing container ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a motor driven stirrer is used to mix viscous fluids, then mixing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and risk of contamination increase due to lubrication requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the motor-driven mechanical stirrer with an electromagnetic stirrer that uses a magnetic field to rotate a magnet coupled to the stirring blade. This eliminates the need for mechanical motors, gears, and lubrication systems, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining mixing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnet as an intermediary element that transmits rotational motion from the electromagnetic field to the stirring blade without direct mechanical contact. This intermediary approach allows for contactless power transmission, eliminating lubrication requirements and reducing contamination risk.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional magnetic stirrers are used to mix fluids, then noise is reduced compared to motorised stirrers, but mixing capability deteriorates for high viscosity fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a resilient stirring blade that can dynamically adapt its shape and flexibility based on the viscosity of the fluid being mixed. The blade's elastic properties allow it to flex and generate effective mixing action in high viscosity fluids while maintaining quiet operation through electromagnetic actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the stirring blade by making it resilient rather than rigid. This parameter change allows the blade to effectively mix high viscosity fluids through elastic deformation and flexing, overcoming the limitation of traditional rigid magnetic stirrers.
3Ease of operation
If traditional magnetic stirrers are used, then mixing operation is simplified, but adaptability to different container sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the stirring blade with resilient properties that enable it to function effectively across a range of container sizes and fluid viscosities. The electromagnetic stirrer mechanism combined with the flexible blade creates a universal mixing solution that does not require adjustment for different application conditions.
4Stability of the object's composition
If mixing is performed to ensure homogeneity, then sample consistency is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to obstruction of container ports
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from a separate instrument and integrates it directly into the stirring blade. The viscosity measurement capability is built into the blade itself, allowing simultaneous mixing and measurement without port obstruction or interference from external measuring devices.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides quiet, contamination-free, and adaptable mixing with accurate viscosity measurement, suitable for sensitive applications like milk analysis, reducing the need for multiple components and minimizing mixing time, while ensuring homogeneity and precise data collection.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic coil to create a pulsing magnetic field to induce a rotational movement of the magnet
Implementation Method 2
create a pulsing magnetic field to induce a rotational movement of the magnet
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument for use with fluid which includes a mixing element, and a container to hold the fluid to be mixed, characterised in that the mixing element includes a sensor that assists to measure a parameter of fluid.