Orbital Shaker Eccentric Coupling and Counterweight Balancing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available orbital shakers for biotechnological applications face challenges in accommodating imaging and illumination devices underneath the platform due to the presence of drive systems and counterweights, leading to stress, wear, and reduced long-term reliability, especially at higher rotational speeds.
Innovation Solution
An orbital shaker device with two eccentric couplings arranged near the edges of the platform, driven by a single motor, and counterweight units positioned in the plane of the platform to optimize balancing and create space for imaging and illumination devices, reducing vibrations and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If drive systems and counterweights are positioned underneath the platform, then orbital shaking function is achieved, but space for imaging and illumination devices is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The counterweights are repositioned from the vertical space underneath the platform to the horizontal plane of the platform itself. This dimensional change allows the drive system and counterweights to occupy the same horizontal layer as the platform, eliminating vertical interference and creating clear space underneath for imaging and illumination devices while maintaining the orbital shaking function.
2Device complexity
If only one axis is driven by the motor, then device complexity is reduced, but stress and wear increase significantly at biotechnological shaking frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The single motor is segmented into two independent driving systems, with each motor independently driving one eccentric coupling. This segmentation distributes the mechanical stress and wear across two separate drive trains rather than concentrating it on a single overloaded axis, significantly improving reliability at biotechnological shaking frequencies of 150-1200 rpm while maintaining overall device functionality.
3Ease of operation
If three-point shaking system or central drive with parallelogram is used, then orbital movement is achieved, but wear and failure risk increase at higher speeds above 800 rpm
Solution Approach 1:
The problematic parallelogram mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simpler direct-drive eccentric coupling system. Each motor directly drives an eccentric coupling that generates the orbital motion, eliminating the complex linkage and reducing moving parts that are prone to wear and failure at high rotational speeds above 800 rpm, while preserving the essential orbital shaking capability.
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 allows for the operation of the orbital shaker at biotechnological frequencies without undue vibrations, enabling the use of imaging and illumination devices underneath the platform while reducing wear and improving long-term reliability.
Implementation Method 1
counterweight units for balancing the orbital movement, wherein each counterweight unit is arranged approximately in the plane of the platform
Implementation Method 2
eccentric couplings for allowing an orbital movement of the platform relative to the frame
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
An orbital shaker device (1) for biotechnological and/or biomedical applications comprises a frame (10), a platform (15) for receiving biotechnological and/or biomedical containers (50), eccentric couplings (13, 14) for allowing an orbital movement of the platform (15) relative to the frame (10), counterweight units (17, 18) for balancing the orbital movement, and at least one motor (19) for driving the eccentric couplings (13, 14). The device comprises two eccentric couplings (13, 14) arranged near respective opposite edges (27, 28) of the platform (15), while each counterweight unit (17, 18) is arranged approximately in the plane of the combined center of gravity of the platform (15) and the containers (50). Furthermore, both eccentric couplings (13, 14) are driven by the motor (19) or motors, either directly or indirectly. In this way, an optimal vibration compensation is achieved while allowing an imaging unit (40) to be mounted underneath the platform (15).