Magnetic Stirrer Sensor with Blind Direction Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic stirrers in biological and pharmaceutical applications often fail to maintain consistent stirring over long periods due to external influences or incorrect operation, requiring costly and complex optical monitoring systems.

Innovation Solution

A stirring device with at least two magnetic coils and a sensor device featuring a magnetic field sensor with a blind direction aligned along the drive magnetic field lines, allowing for qualitative or quantitative detection of magnetic field presence and orientation, enabling distinction between a drive magnetic field with and without a magnetic stirrer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If optical monitoring systems are used to monitor the stirring function, then the stirring function can be monitored qualitatively, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestirring function monitoringVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex optical monitoring systems with a simple magnetic field sensor that detects the magnetic field generated by the rotating stirring bar. This substitution of detection method dramatically simplifies the monitoring system while maintaining reliability, as the magnetic field sensor directly detects stirring motion without requiring complex optical setup and adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic stirrer itself generates the magnetic field that serves as the monitoring signal. The stirring bar's rotation creates a time-varying magnetic field that the sensor detects, meaning the object being monitored (stirring bar) automatically provides the monitoring signal, eliminating the need for separate complex monitoring equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If optical monitoring systems are used to monitor the stirring function, then the stirring function can be monitored, but the setup effort and adjustment time increase very high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestirring function monitoringVSAvoidsetup and adjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex optical monitoring systems with a simple magnetic field sensor that detects the magnetic field generated by the rotating stirring bar. This substitution of detection method dramatically simplifies the monitoring system while maintaining reliability, as the magnetic field sensor directly detects stirring motion without requiring complex optical setup and adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field sensor is pre-positioned in the detection area where the stirring bar passes during rotation. This preliminary positioning ensures that the sensor is already in the correct location to detect the magnetic field variations, eliminating the need for time-consuming setup and adjustment during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution provides a cost-effective and simple method to monitor the magnetic stirrer, ensuring continuous stirring function by detecting the presence and orientation of the magnetic stirrer, allowing for real-time monitoring and reducing the need for extensive setup and adjustment of optical systems.

Implementation Method 1

at least two magnetic coils, each with at least one pole piece for generating a rotating drive magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a sensor device having at least one magnetic field sensor with a detection direction for detecting magnetic field lines of a magnetic field along the detection direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP4443183A1Stirrer apparatus for a magnetic stirrer
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 2MAG
  • EP4443183A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4443183A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4443183A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a stirring device (10) for a magnetic stirrer (200), comprising at least two magnetic coils (20) each with at least one pole shoe (22) for generating a rotating drive magnetic field (AM), further comprising a sensor device (30) with at least one magnetic field sensor (32) having a detection direction (ER) for detecting magnetic field lines (M) of a magnetic field along the detection direction (ER) and with a blind direction (BR) different from the detection direction (ER), in which the magnetic field sensor (30) is designed to be blind to detecting magnetic field lines (M), wherein the blind direction (BR) of the at least one magnetic field sensor (32) is further aligned along the magnetic field lines (M) of the drive magnetic field (AM).