Modular Mixing Impeller with Interchangeable Blades

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing mixing impeller solutions are not cost-effective for a wide range of applications in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, as they require multiple tooling sets and inventory of various impeller variants to meet different performance requirements, leading to increased costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A mixing impeller comprising two separately manufactured subassemblies, where the first subassembly contains encapsulated magnets and the second subassembly has interchangeable blades, allowing for various geometries and sizes to be chosen based on the application, connected via a snap-fit mechanism to enable easy assembly and disassembly without the need for additional tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple tooling sets and inventory of various impeller variants are maintained to meet different performance requirements, then application versatility is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication versatilityVSAvoidinventory complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing impeller is divided into two separate subassemblies: a first subassembly containing the magnet and a second subassembly containing the mixing blade. This segmentation allows the blade portion to be easily exchanged while the magnet subassembly remains constant, enabling different mixing geometries without requiring complete impeller replacement or multiple tooling sets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first subassembly with the magnet is designed as a universal component that can work with multiple different second subassemblies featuring various blade geometries. This multi-functionality allows a single magnet subassembly to serve multiple applications by simply changing the blade subassembly, reducing the need for multiple specialized impeller variants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple tooling sets and inventory of various impeller variants are maintained to meet different performance requirements, then application versatility is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication versatilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing impeller is divided into two separate subassemblies: a first subassembly containing the magnet and a second subassembly containing the mixing blade. This segmentation allows the blade portion to be easily exchanged while the magnet subassembly remains constant, enabling different mixing geometries without requiring complete impeller replacement or multiple tooling sets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design enables the expensive magnet subassembly to be recovered and reused across multiple applications. Only the less expensive blade subassembly needs to be changed for different applications, effectively discarding and replacing only the necessary component while retaining the valuable magnet assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Ease of operation

If a snap-fit mechanism is used to connect subassemblies, then ease of assembly is improved, but connection strength may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidconnection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing impeller is divided into two separate subassemblies: a first subassembly containing the magnet and a second subassembly containing the mixing blade. This segmentation allows the blade portion to be easily exchanged while the magnet subassembly remains constant, enabling different mixing geometries without requiring complete impeller replacement or multiple tooling sets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 allows for a cost-effective solution by reusing the magnet subassembly and changing the blade subassembly according to the application, reducing inventory needs and enabling efficient mixing across different applications without the need for extensive tooling or inventory, while maintaining a reliable and easy assembly process.

Implementation Method 1

A driving magnet at the outside of the mixing vessel is driven by the external motor, and a follower magnet is arranged inside of the mixing impeller in the mixing vessel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3331640B1Mixing impeller, method of manufacturing a first subassembly of the mixing impeller and method of assembling the mixing impeller

Publication Date: 2021.03.17 SARTORIUS STEDIM BIOTECH GMBH

Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b

AI summary

The present application relates to a mixing impeller (1) comprising: - a first subassembly (3) in which at least one magnet (11) is accommodated, wherein the magnet (11) is adapted to be magnetically coupled to a drive device to be driven; and - a second subassembly (3, 5) comprising at least one impeller blade for mixing components when rotating the mixing impeller (1); wherein the first and second subassemblies (3, 5) are formed as separate entities which are selectively engageable. Further, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing the first subassembly (3) and a method of assembling the mixing impeller (1).