Magnetic Rotary Knob for Laboratory Stirrer Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing control elements for laboratory devices, such as stirrers and rotary evaporators, are complex in design due to the need for separate push button elements and mechanical springs for return mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A simplified control element design where a single-part rotary knob with a permanent magnet is used, utilizing magnetic forces for both rotation and axial positioning, eliminating the need for mechanical springs and separate push button elements, with magnetic field sensors detecting the rotary knob's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate push button element with mechanical spring is used, then the return function is reliable, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical spring component is extracted and removed from the system. Instead of using a mechanical spring for the return function, the patent employs a magnetic field generated by a permanent magnet to provide the return force, thereby simplifying the structure while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical spring-based return mechanism is replaced with a magnetic field-based return mechanism. The permanent magnet generates a magnetic field that acts on a magnetizable element to provide the return force, substituting mechanical components with a magnetic field solution
2Device complexity
If a single-part rotary knob with permanent magnet is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the pressing operation reliability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary knob and push button functions are merged into a single integrated component. The rotary knob incorporates a permanent magnet that serves both rotational positioning and axial pressing functions, eliminating the need for separate push button elements
Solution Approach 2:
A magnetizable element serves as an intermediary between the permanent magnet and the pressing action. This element is attracted by the magnetic field to provide the pressing force, enabling reliable pressing operation through magnetic interaction
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
This design simplifies the control element structure, reduces component count, and ensures reliable operation without mechanical springs, allowing for easy assembly and efficient parameter setting and confirmation in laboratory devices.
Implementation Method 1
The rotary knob can be returned from the pressed position into the non-pressed position on the basis of a magnetic force acting between the carrier part and the rotary knob
Implementation Method 2
A permanent magnet is provided that is fixedly connected to the rotary knob
Implementation Method 3
The magnetic, in particular soft magnetic, material is in particular a ferromagnetic, in particular soft magnetic, material. A magnetic material can be magnetized by the magnetic field of the permanent magnet and can then be attracted by the permanent magnet
Implementation Method 4
The rotational position and the axial position of the rotary knob can be recognized with reference to the axial position of the permanent magnet by a corresponding sensor arrangement, in particular by magnetic field sensors that are based on the Hall effect
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an operating element (11) having a support part (13) which can be mounted on a device housing, in particular on a housing of a laboratory device, for example a laboratory stirrer, and having a rotary knob (15) which is held on the support part, is rotatable about an axis of rotation, is provided with a permanent magnet (17) and is additionally adjustable relative to the support part in the axial direction between a released position and a depressed position, wherein, as a result of a magnetic force acting between the support part and the rotary knob, the rotary knob can be reset from the depressed position into the released position.