Tiltable Support Housing for Fluid Mixing Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid mixing systems with tall support housings face challenges such as limited mobility due to size, difficulty in inserting and adjusting flexible bags, and the need for frequent bag changes, which are labor-intensive, costly, and increase the risk of contamination and mixing downtime.
Innovation Solution
A fluid mixing system with a pivotably mounted support housing that can be tilted or rocked, allowing for easier access and operation, reducing the need for frequent bag changes by enabling homogeneous mixing within a single container of varying volumes using a combination of impeller-driven mixing and support housing movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a tall support housing is used to accommodate larger flexible bags for increased processing capacity, then the processing volume is improved, but the mobility and ease of operation deteriorate due to size constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The support housing is made tiltable about a transverse axis, transforming it from a static structure to a dynamic one. This allows the housing to change orientation between vertical and tilted positions, enabling easy maneuverability through doorways while maintaining capacity for large processing volumes when in vertical position
2Quantity of substance
If a tall support housing is used to accommodate larger flexible bags, then the processing volume is improved, but the ease of insertion and adjustment of flexible bags deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By making the support housing tiltable, operators can easily tilt the housing to access the flexible bag insertion area, insert bags without standing on ladders, and adjust bag positions while the housing is tilted, then return to vertical for operation
3Ease of operation
If the support housing is made shorter to improve mobility, then the ease of operation is improved, but the processing volume capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tilting mechanism allows a housing of moderate height to function effectively for both mobility (when tilted) and large-volume processing (when vertical), eliminating the need to choose between height and capability
4Productivity
If fixed-position impellers are used to optimize mixing for specific volumes, then mixing efficiency is improved, but adaptability to varying volumes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tiltable support housing enables dynamic adjustment of the flexible bag's position and orientation within the housing, allowing the same fixed impeller to effectively mix different volumes by changing the bag configuration rather than requiring multiple fixed impeller positions
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 system enhances operational flexibility, reduces labor and material costs, minimizes contamination risks, and maintains homogeneous mixing across varying solution volumes, facilitating broader use in different locations while optimizing mixing efficiency and reducing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
Rotation of the drive shaft and impeller facilitates mixing and/or suspension of the fluid contained within flexible bag
Implementation Method 2
A fluid mixing system with a pivotably mounted support housing that can be tilted or rocked
Data Source
AI summary
A method for mixing a fluid includes: dispensing a first volume of a fluid into a flexible container, the flexible container being at least partially disposed within the chamber of a support housing; repeatedly moving the support housing and the flexible container contained therein so as to mix the first volume of fluid within the flexible container; adding further fluid into the flexible container after moving the support housing to form a second volume of fluid; and manipulating a mixing element within the flexible container so as to mix the second volume of fluid.