Magnetic Torque Transmission for Sterile Container Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container closure devices require multiple sealing elements between sterile and non-sterile environments, leading to weak points and increased component costs due to the need for protective design in clean rooms.
Innovation Solution
A device with a housing containing a sterile space, featuring a treatment element that can be rotated and driven by a drive device with interacting magnetizable elements, where the drive elements transmit torque without contact, reducing the need for sealing devices by maintaining sterility through magnetic coupling and allowing for non-contact power transmission within the clean room.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sealing elements are used between sterile and non-sterile environments, then sterility is maintained, but device complexity and component costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sealing systems with a magnetic field-based torque transmission system. The magnetic coupling allows rotational force to be transmitted from the drive element in the non-sterile environment to the treatment element in the sterile environment without physical contact, eliminating the need for mechanical seals and maintaining sterility while reducing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field acts as an intermediary between the drive element and treatment element, enabling torque transmission without direct mechanical contact. This intermediary approach allows the system to maintain the sterile barrier while still transmitting the necessary mechanical energy for container closure
2Reliability
If sealing elements are used between sterile and non-sterile environments, then sterility is maintained, but component costs increase due to protective design requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing mechanical sealing components with a magnetic field-based system, the patent eliminates the need for expensive sterile-rated mechanical seals and protective design features. The magnetic coupling components can be manufactured without special sterile protections, significantly reducing component costs while maintaining sterility through non-contact operation
3Reliability
If drive elements are separated by a wall, then sterility is maintained, but torque transmission becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field serves as an intermediary that can penetrate the wall separating the sterile and non-sterile environments, enabling torque transmission without compromising the sterile barrier. The magnetic coupling allows rotational force to be transmitted through the wall material that defines the sterile space boundary
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes magnetic field parameters (strength, orientation, coupling distance) to effectively transmit torque across the wall separation. By optimizing the magnetic coupling parameters, the system achieves effective torque transmission while maintaining the physical separation required for sterility
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 solution minimizes the need for sealing devices between sterile and non-sterile environments, reducing component costs and maintaining sterility by using magnetic coupling for power transmission, thus enhancing the reliability and hygiene of container closure systems.
Implementation Method 1
drive elements interact without contact to generate the rotary movement of the closure head through magnetic coupling
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A device (1) for treating containers (10), comprising a housing (2) within which a sterile space (4) is formed, comprising a treatment element (6, 7) which is arranged inside the housing (2) and which is rotatable about a predetermined axis (X), wherein the treatment element is arranged on a support (8) provided inside the housing (2) with a drive device for driving the treatment element (6), wherein this drive device is arranged at least partially outside the sterile space (4).According to the invention, the drive device has at least a first drive element (22) arranged outside the sterile chamber (4) for generating rotary movements, and the treatment element (6) is coupled to a second drive element (24) arranged inside the sterile chamber (4) and rotatable about a predetermined second axis of rotation (Y) for transmitting torques, wherein the first drive element (22) and the second drive element (24) interact without contact to generate the rotary movement of the treatment element and are separated from each other by at least one wall (20), and wherein the drive elements (22, 24) each have at least one magnetizable element (32, 34), and preferably at least the second drive element (24) is displaceable in the direction of its axis of rotation (Y) relative to the sterile chamber (4).