Weighing Unit Vacuum Sterility Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors, existing weighing units cannot ensure contamination-free measurement due to unsterilized air inside load cells coming into contact with substances, compromising accuracy and sterility, especially in high-contamination environments.
Innovation Solution
A weighing unit with a hollow case and load cells maintained under vacuum conditions using a suction duct and vacuum pump to prevent air leakage, keeping contaminants inside and ensuring sterility of the environment, while using a transducer connected externally to prevent contamination and maintain accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If load cells with hollow cases and internal electronics are used for weighing, then weighing function is achieved, but unsterilized air inside the hollow case can contaminate the substance in the container
Solution Approach 1:
The load cell is divided into two separate zones: a sterile zone (the hollow case containing electronics) and a non-sterile zone (the weighing chamber). The transducer acts as the boundary interface between these zones, allowing mechanical signal transmission while preventing contamination of the substance in the container.
Solution Approach 2:
The transducer serves as an intermediary element that transmits the mechanical weighing signal from the container to the electronics inside the hollow case without requiring direct contact between the sterile and non-sterile environments. This mediator allows the weighing function to be performed while maintaining the sterility of the substance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the hollow case is sterilized to prevent contamination, then sterility is improved, but the load cell cannot undergo sterilization treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The electronics and hollow case are extracted from the sterile environment and placed in a separate non-sterile zone. Only the transducer, which can withstand sterilization, remains in or crosses the sterile boundary. This extraction allows the sterile zone to be maintained without subjecting the entire load cell assembly to sterilization treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the load cell system have different sterility requirements. The hollow case and electronics are designed for non-sterile conditions, while the weighing chamber and transducer interface are designed for sterile conditions. This local differentiation of quality requirements allows the system to function without sterilizing components that cannot be sterilized.
3Device complexity
If the transducer is placed inside the hollow case to simplify structure, then device complexity is reduced, but the transducer may be exposed to unsterilized air and contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer is positioned as an intermediary at the boundary of the hollow case, with its sensing element in the sterile weighing chamber and its body connected to the non-sterile electronics compartment. This intermediary positioning allows the transducer to perform its function while being protected from direct exposure to unsterilized air and contaminants.
4Measurement precision
If individual weighing operations are performed after container filling, then dosage accuracy is verified, but the weighing environment has high contamination class
Solution Approach 1:
The weighing system creates a segmented sterile weighing chamber that is isolated from the contaminated external environment. This segmentation allows individual weighing operations to be performed with high precision while protecting the substance in the container from environmental contaminants during the measurement 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
The solution effectively prevents contamination of substances during weighing, maintains measurement accuracy, and keeps the environment's sterility without requiring sterilization of the weighing unit, all at a low cost and with a simple, practical design.
Implementation Method 1
the hollow case (3) has a through hole (6) connected to a suction duct (7), which in turn is connected to a vacuum pump (11) responsible for keeping the pressure inside the hollow case (3) lower with respect to the surrounding environment in which the hollow case (3) is housed
Data Source
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AI summary
Weighing unit for the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors comprising a hallow case (3), at least one load cell (2) for weighing a container placed at least partially inside said hallow case (3), a signal processing unit (4) placed within the hallow case (3) and a transducer (5) associated with the load cell (2) and facing the outside of said hallow case (3), said transducer (5) being controlled by said signal processing unit (4), wherein said hallow case (3) comprises a through hole (6) connected to a suction duct (7) said suction duct (7) being connected to a vacuum pump (11) responsible for keeping the pressure inside the hallow case (3) lower with respect to the outside environment in which the hallow case (3) is housed, the continuous suction of air via said through hole (6) preventing the leakage of air with suspended particles from the inside of said hallow case (3) to the outside environment.