Sensor Fastening for Flexible Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for fastening sensors on flexible containers, such as mixing bags, often compromise sterility and leak integrity due to adhesive use or welding, which can impair the medium or mixture inside.
Innovation Solution
A clamping mechanism that securely attaches the sensor support to the container wall without adhesives, using a central piece and clamping part to create a leakproof and reliable connection, allowing for wireless communication and eliminating the need for welding, while maintaining sterility and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If adhesive is used to bond the sensor support to the container wall, then the sensor support is securely attached, but the adhesive can impair the medium or mixture in the mixing bag and compromise sterility
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful adhesive substance is extracted/removed from the system entirely. Instead of using adhesive to bond the sensor support to the container wall, the patent employs a mechanical clamping connection where the sensor support is clamped between the container wall and a clamping part, eliminating any risk of adhesive contamination to the medium or mixture while maintaining secure attachment
2Strength
If welding is used to attach the sensor support to the container wall, then a strong connection is achieved, but leaks can occur at the welding seam as the mixing bag is being handled
Solution Approach 1:
The welding process is extracted/removed from the system. Instead of welding the sensor support to the container wall, the patent uses a mechanical clamping connection with a clamping part that can be screwed or latched to the central piece, providing a strong yet flexible connection that accommodates handling movements without creating leak-prone welding seams
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is made dynamic and adjustable. The clamping part can be screwed to the central piece with adjustable tightness, allowing the connection to accommodate movements and deformations of the flexible container wall during handling, thereby maintaining leak integrity while preserving connection strength
3Reliability
If a clamping mechanism is used to attach the sensor support, then sterility and leak integrity are maintained, but the device complexity increases compared to adhesive bonding
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into distinct functional components: a central piece with guided opening, a sensor support with bearing surface, and a separate clamping part with screw connection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining simplicity - the central piece provides positioning, the sensor support provides the sensing function, and the clamping part provides secure attachment without contamination risk
Data Source
AI summary
Device for fastening a sensor on containers with a flexible container wall, in particular mixing bags, comprising a sensor support which is fitted with a sensor, bears against an inner wall of the container wall at least with a rear subsurface averted from the sensor, and is guided with a central piece through an opening in the container wall in which the sensor support is fixed on the container wall by a clamping part which can be connected to the central piece, in which the container wall is clamped between the rear subsurface of the sensor support and on a bearing surface, facing an outer wall of the container, of the clamping part, and in which the rear subsurface bears sealingly against the inner wall of the container wall. The sensor support can also have an electronic or optical transmit unit which is connected to the sensor, in which case the transmit unit communicates in a wireless fashion with a receive unit arranged outside the container.