Rotating Collar Connector for Flexible Bioreactor Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Securing a connector to a flexible disposable bioreactor's sensing device is challenging due to the device's flexible nature, which makes it difficult to apply force without causing movement and leakage, especially when transferring capacitance measurements from electrodes to a monitoring device.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a collar with a recess and channels that securely engage the sensing device's ears, allowing for easy rotation and alignment without requiring precise insertion, ensuring a stable connection with minimal pressure and effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a connector is secured to a flexible sensing device by applying force, then the connection stability is improved, but the flexible enclosure may move or leak
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into distinct functional components: a collar for engagement, a body for housing, and an interface arrangement for electrical connection. The sensing device is segmented with separate ears for mechanical engagement and electrode elements for measurement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with others, enabling secure connection without excessive force on the flexible enclosure.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar acts as an intermediary component between the rigid connector body and the flexible sensing device. It provides a mechanical interface that can accommodate the flexibility of the sensing device while maintaining a stable electrical connection. The collar's recess and channel structure mediates between the need for secure engagement and the need to minimize stress on the flexible enclosure.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise insertion and alignment are required for connector engagement, then the connection precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The collar features an asymmetric recess with a specific geometric configuration that asymmetrically guides the sensing device ears during insertion. The channel in the collar has a tailored shape that provides natural alignment cues, guiding the ears into the correct position without requiring precise manual alignment. This asymmetric geometry ensures proper orientation while accommodating variations in insertion accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess and channel structure in the collar is pre-configured to perform the alignment function automatically during the insertion process. The geometric features are designed in advance to guide the sensing device ears into the correct position as they are inserted, eliminating the need for the user to perform precise alignment manually. The alignment action is built into the connector structure itself.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sensing device is made flexible to prevent leakage, then the adaptability is improved, but the difficulty of securing the connector increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing device utilizes a flexible polymeric enclosure that can be conformally sealed to contain the biological medium. The flexible shell incorporates rigid or semi-rigid sensing elements (electrodes and ears) that maintain their shape for mechanical engagement. This allows the enclosure to remain flexible for adaptability while the integrated sensing elements provide stable connection points for the connector.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing device integrates multiple functions into a single component: the flexible enclosure for containment, the electrode elements for measurement, and the ear structures for mechanical engagement. By merging these functions into one integrated device, the system achieves adaptability from the flexible enclosure while maintaining ease of connection through the integrated engagement features.
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 connector effectively secures the sensing device, allowing for accurate capacitance measurements while minimizing pressure on the flexible enclosure, enhancing usability and reliability by eliminating the need for precise alignment and insertion.
Implementation Method 1
The collar may, however, rotate relative to the body (12) and the interface arrangement (14). As the interface arrangement (14) is received into the collar (16) the ear (24) seats into the recess (22) of the collar (16) and butts up against the ledge or shoulder defining the base of the recess. In communication with the recess (22) is a first channel (26) meaning that as the collar (16) is rotated relative to the interface arrangement (14) and body (12), the ear (24) of the interface arrangement is effectively guided by the channel (26).
Implementation Method 2
A second channel (30) is provided in the radially inwardly surface of the collar (16) and generally extends circumferentially around the inner surface of the collar (16). A portion of the second channel (30) identified by reference numeral (32) extends generally parallel to the first channel (26). A second portion of the second channel (30) extends from the recess (22) not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the collar (16). This configuration is provided such that as the lateral protrusion (10) of the sensing device projecting radially outwardly is located into the recess (22) of the collar (16) and the collar (16) is rotated, the lateral protrusion (10) is drawn along the second portion of the second channel (30) and the angle provided in the second portion of the second channel (30) means that the sensing device is drawn into closer communication with the interface arrangement (14).
Implementation Method 3
Opposing sides of the rearward section (18) indicated by reference numeral (20) are chamfered and are received by a corresponding shaped opening in the body (12). This rearward section (18) is therefore received into the body (12) and is fixedly secured therein via friction joint.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a connector 1 to enable connection between a device 2 that is typically poorly supported meaning that when the connector is brought into contact with the device there can be little force applied to the device in order that it does not move. Such a device may be a flexible disposable bioreactor wherein a probe is secured within a wall of the bioreactor and a connection is required to enable a reading to be taken from the electrodes of the probe. The connector 1 includes a collar 16 arranged to rotate between a first configuration enabling releasable engagement with the device and a second configuration wherein the device is restrained by the collar. A shoulder 46 is provided in the collar to limit insertion of at least a portion 10 of the device into a recess 22 wherein the shoulder aligns at least the portion of the device with a channel 30 provided in the radially inwardly surface of the collar.