Pivoting Container Support for Bioreactor Mixing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixing devices for flexible bioreactors are complex due to the need for multiple axes of movement, making it difficult to efficiently move containers into filling or removal positions, which complicates the process and may not ensure optimal sterility and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A mixing device with a container support that can be pivoted about a removal pivot axis at an angle of over 0° to 45° relative to the horizontal plane, allowing for a single pivoting movement to transition from a mixing position to a removal position, where the removal side is inclined towards a corner, facilitating easy product collection and filling while maintaining sterility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple axes of movement are used to position the container, then the container can be moved into filling or removal positions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the set-up axis from the system, retaining only the rocking axis for mixing operations. This simplification allows the container support to be positioned in removal position through a single pivoting movement about the rocking axis, eliminating the need for complex multi-axis mechanisms while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single rocking axis serves multiple functions: it enables mixing during cultivation and also facilitates removal of the container for filling or product collection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate axes dedicated to positioning operations, reducing overall device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a set-up axis and tilting axis are provided, then the container can be positioned for removal, but the design becomes complex and disadvantageous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the set-up axis and tilting axis from the system, retaining only the rocking axis. The container support is designed to pivot directly about the rocking axis into the removal position, eliminating the need for multiple axes while maintaining the ability to position the container for efficient product removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the positioning function into the existing rocking axis mechanism, combining what would have been separate set-up and tilting operations into a single pivoting movement about the rocking axis. This integration simplifies the overall device design.
3Productivity
If the container support is fixed in position, then the mixing process is simple, but the container cannot be easily moved to removal position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic repositioning capability to the container support through a pivoting mechanism about the rocking axis. This allows the support to transition between mixing position (horizontal) and removal position (inclined), providing operational flexibility without compromising mixing efficiency during the cultivation process.
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 positioning and removal of containers, enhances sterility by reducing the need for multiple axes, and improves the efficiency of mixing and sedimentation, ensuring effective oxygen blending in cell cultivation.
Implementation Method 1
the container support is mounted so as to be pivotable about a removal pivot axis relative to the moving device in order to be able to move the container which can be positioned thereon into a removal position
Data Source
AI summary
A mixing device for mixing contents of a container has a support for supporting the container and a moving device connected to the support for moving the support and mixing the contents of the container. The support has a positioning device to position the container so that a removal side of the container is arranged substantially along a predetermined line of the support. The support is pivotable about a removal pivot axis to move the container into a removal position. The removal pivot axis is at an angle of over 0° to 45° to the predetermined line of the support so that the container can be moved from the mixing position by pivoting the support about the removal pivot axis into the removal position where the removal side is on a lower side of the container and inclined toward a removal region of the container.