BIOREACTOR, END PLATE FOR A BIOREACTOR AND DATA COMMUNICATION UNIT FOR AN END PLATE

Abstract

A bioreactor has a container, an end plate, an agitator, a drive unit, and at least one field device arranged in the interior, field device electronics, a data transmission unit arranged on the end plate, and a motor head piece coupled in terms of energy to the drive unit. At least one communication unit is coupled in terms of signaling to the motor head piece and includes an adapter piece, having adapter electronics which are electrically connected to the field device electronics of the field device, and a communicator piece. The adapter piece and the communicator piece are separate components which can be coupled to one another, wherein the motor head piece is a separate component which can be coupled to the communication units.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. A bioreactor for culturing microorganisms and/or cell cultures, comprising: a container; an end plate adapted to close the container; an agitator further comprising: an agitator shaft guided through the end plate into an interior of the container; and an agitator element connected to the agitator shaft in the interior of the container; a drive unit disposed on the end plate and coupled to the agitator shaft; and at least one field device disposed in the interior and which further comprises field device electronics, wherein the end plate comprises: an inner side and an outer side opposite the inner side; an agitator connection device adapted to: guide the agitator shaft through the end plate; and connect the drive unit; at least one field device connection device adapted to connect the field device on the inner side; and a data transmission unit disposed on the outer side and which further comprises: a motor head piece coupled in terms of signaling to an evaluation unit and coupled in terms of energy to the drive unit, comprising motor head electronics; and at least one communication unit coupled in terms of signaling to the motor head piece comprising: an adapter piece having adapter electronics which are electrically connected to the field device electronics of the field device; and a communicator piece having communicator electronics which are electrically connected to the adapter electronics and to the motor head electronics; wherein the adapter electronics are configured to communicate signals between the field device electronics and the communicator electronics, wherein the signals carry field device information and measurement information and/or control information; wherein the communicator electronics are configured to communicate the signals between the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics; and wherein the data transmission unit also comprises a signal converter which is part of the adapter electronics and/or part of the communicator electronics; wherein the adapter piece and the communicator piece are in the form of separate components which can be coupled to one another; and wherein the motor head piece is in the form of a separate component which can be coupled to the communication unit.

17. An end plate for closing a bioreactor, comprising: an inner side and an outer side opposite the inner side; an agitator connection device adapted to: guide an agitator shaft through the end plate; and connect a drive unit which can be coupled to the agitator shaft; and at least one field device connection device adapted to connect a field device on the inner side; a data transmission unit disposed on the outer side and having: a motor head piece coupled in terms of signaling to an evaluation unit and coupled in terms of energy to the drive unit disposed on an end plate of a bioreactor, comprising motor head electronics; and at least one communication unit coupled in terms of signaling to the motor head piece, comprising: an adapter piece having adapter electronics which can be electrically connected to field device electronics of the field device; and a communicator piece having communicator electronics which are electrically connected to the adapter electronics and to the motor head electronics; wherein the adapter electronics are adapted to communicate signals between the field device electronics and the communicator electronics, wherein the signals carry field device information and measurement information and/or control information; wherein the communicator electronics are adapted to communicate the signals between the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics; wherein the data transmission unit also comprises a signal converter which is part of the adapter electronics and/or part of the communicator electronics, wherein the adapter piece and the communicator piece are in the form of separate components which can be coupled to one another; and wherein the motor head piece is in the form of a separate component which can be coupled to the communication unit.

18. A data transmission unit for an end plate of a bioreactor, having: a motor head piece coupled in terms of signaling to an evaluation unit and coupled in terms of energy to a drive unit disposed on an end plate of a bioreactor, comprising motor head electronics; and at least one communication unit coupled in terms of signaling to the motor head piece, respectively comprising: an adapter piece having adapter electronics electrically connected to a field device electronics of a field device; and a communicator piece having communicator electronics which are electrically connected to the adapter electronics and to the motor head electronics; wherein the adapter electronics are adapted to communicate signals between the field device electronics and the communicator electronics, wherein the signals carry field device information and measurement information and/or control information; wherein the communicator electronics are adapted to communicate the signals between the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics; wherein the data transmission unit also comprises a signal converter which is part of the adapter electronics and/or part of the communicator electronics; wherein the adapter piece and the communicator piece are in the form of separate components which can be coupled to one another; and wherein the motor head piece is in the form of a separate component which can be coupled to the communication units.

19. The data transmission unit as claimed in at least claim 18, wherein: the adapter piece comprises a field device interface and a communicator interface, wherein the adapter electronics: are connected between the field device interface and the communicator interface, can be electrically connected to the field device electronics via the field device interface; and are electrically connected to the communicator electronics via the communicator interface; and the communicator piece comprises an adapter interface and a motor head interface, wherein the communicator electronics: are connected between the adapter interface and the motor head interface; are electrically connected to the adapter electronics via the adapter interface; and are electrically connected to the motor head electronics via the motor head interface.

20. The data transmission unit as claimed in claim 18 comprising at least one first group of first adapter pieces and one second group of second adapter pieces: wherein the adapter electronics of the first adapter pieces are adapted to communicate the signals between the field device electronics of a first field device and the communicator electronics; wherein the adapter electronics of the second adapter pieces are adapted to communicate the signals between the field device electronics of a second field device and the communicator electronics; and wherein the adapter piece of each communication unit is selected from at least the first group of first adapter pieces and the second group of second adapter pieces on the basis of a field device to be coupled.

21. The data transmission unit as claimed in claim 18, wherein the adapter piece comprises a field device coupling adapted to connect the field device to the adapter piece mechanically.

22. The data transmission unit of claim 21, wherein the field device is releasably coupled to the adapter piece.

23. The data transmission unit as claimed in claim 18, wherein the communicator piece comprises an adapter coupling adapted to connect the adapter piece to the communicator piece mechanically.

24. The data transmission unit as claimed in claim 23, wherein the communicator piece is releasably coupled to the adapter piece.

25. The data transmission unit as claimed in claim 18: wherein the signal converter is an analog/digital converter; or wherein the adapter electronics, the communicator electronics, or the signal converter is adapted to receive analog signals to convert them into standardized analog signals, to convert the standardized analog signals into digital signals, to transmit the digital signals, or vice versa.

26. The data transmission unit as claimed in claim 18, wherein the communicator electronics or the motor head electronics are adapted to receive the signals without or with contact, to convert the signals into radio signals, to transmit them by radio or in a wired manner, or vice versa.

27. The data transmission unit as claimed in claim 18, wherein the adapter electronics are adapted to receive the signals without or with contact, to convert the signals into radio signals, to transmit them by radio or in a wired manner, or vice versa.

28. The data transmission unit as claimed in claim 19, wherein the field device interface, the communicator interface, the adapter interface, or the motor head interface are in the form of a connection on a cable.

29. The data transmission unit as claimed in claim 28, wherein the cable has a length of at most 50 cm.

30. The data transmission unit as claimed in claim 18, wherein: the motor head piece is coupled in terms of energy to the communicator piece, wherein the motor head electronics are adapted to supply the communicator electronics with power; the communicator piece is coupled in terms of energy to the adapter piece, wherein the communicator electronics are adapted to supply the adapter electronics with power; and/or the adapter piece can be coupled in terms of energy to the field device, wherein the adapter electronics are adapted to supply the field device electronics with power; wherein the power is transmitted with contact in a wired manner or inductively.

31. The data transmission unit as claimed in claim 18, wherein the motor head piece comprises: a communication interface electrically connected to the communicator electronics; and a feeder interface, to which a feeder cable can be electrically connected, wherein the feeder interface can be electrically connected to evaluation electronics of the evaluation unit, wherein the motor head electronics are connected between the communication interface and the feeder interface; and wherein the motor head electronics are adapted to communicate signals between the communicator electronics electrically connected to the communication interface and evaluation electronics which can be electrically connected to the feeder interface.

32. The data transmission unit as claimed in claim 18, wherein the motor head electronics are adapted to transmit signals, which are based on the bus protocol, to the communicator electronics of the communicator pieces via a bus system or a plurality of bus systems or to receive them from the communicator electronics of the communicator pieces.

33. The use of a data transmission unit as claimed in claim 18 for an end plate comprising: an inner side and an outer side opposite the inner side; an agitator connection device adapted to: guide an agitator shaft through the end plate; and connect a drive unit which can be coupled to the agitator shaft; and at least one field device connection device adapted to connect a field device on the inner side; a data transmission unit disposed on the outer side and having: a motor head piece coupled in terms of signaling to an evaluation unit and coupled in terms of energy to the drive unit disposed on an end plate of a bioreactor, comprising motor head electronics; and at least one communication unit coupled in terms of signaling to the motor head piece, comprising: an adapter piece having adapter electronics which can be electrically connected to field device electronics of the field device; and a communicator piece having communicator electronics which are electrically connected to the adapter electronics and to the motor head electronics; wherein the adapter electronics are adapted to communicate signals between the field device electronics and the communicator electronics, wherein the signals carry field device information and measurement information and/or control information; wherein the communicator electronics are adapted to communicate the signals between the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics; wherein the data transmission unit also comprises a signal converter which is part of the adapter electronics and/or part of the communicator electronics, wherein the adapter piece and the communicator piece are in the form of separate components which can be coupled to one another; and wherein the motor head piece is in the form of a separate component which can be coupled to the communication unit.

34. The use of a data transmission unit as claimed in claim 18 for an end plate for a bioreactor comprising: a container; an end plate adapted to close the container; an agitator further comprising: an agitator shaft guided through the end plate into an interior of the container; and an agitator element connected to the agitator shaft in the interior of the container; a drive unit disposed on the end plate and coupled to the agitator shaft; and at least one field device disposed in the interior and which further comprises field device electronics, wherein the end plate comprises: an inner side and an outer side opposite the inner side; an agitator connection device adapted to: guide the agitator shaft through the end plate; and connect the drive unit; at least one field device connection device adapted to connect the field device on the inner side; and a data transmission unit disposed on the outer side and which further comprises: a motor head piece coupled in terms of signaling to an evaluation unit and coupled in terms of energy to the drive unit, comprising motor head electronics; and at least one communication unit coupled in terms of signaling to the motor head piece comprising: an adapter piece having adapter electronics which are electrically connected to the field device electronics of the field device; and a communicator piece having communicator electronics which are electrically connected to the adapter electronics and to the motor head electronics; wherein the adapter electronics are configured to communicate signals between the field device electronics and the communicator electronics, wherein the signals carry field device information and measurement information and/or control information; wherein the communicator electronics are configured to communicate the signals between the adapter electronics and the motor head electronics; and wherein the data transmission unit also comprises a signal converter which is part of the adapter electronics and/or part of the communicator electronics; wherein the adapter piece and the communicator piece are in the form of separate components which can be coupled to one another; and wherein the motor head piece is in the form of a separate component which can be coupled to the communication unit.

35. A method for providing a data transmission unit, having the steps of: providing a motor head piece coupled in terms of signaling to an evaluation unit and coupled in terms of energy to a drive unit, disposed on an end plate of a bioreactor and comprising motor head electronics; and assembling at least one communication unit, comprising the steps of: selecting an adapter piece having adapter electronics on the basis of the field device to be coupled to this adapter piece; providing a communicator piece having communicator electronics; coupling the adapter piece to the communicator piece and electrically connecting the adapter electronics to the communicator electronics; and electrically connecting the communicator electronics to the motor head electronics.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0146] Preferred exemplary embodiments are explained, by way of example, on the basis of the accompanying figures, in which:

[0147] FIG. 1 shows a section of a bioreactor;

[0148] FIG. 2 shows a data transmission unit having a communication unit;

[0149] FIG. 3 shows an adapter piece which can be coupled to a field device and a section of a field device; and

[0150] FIG. 4 shows exemplary method steps for providing a data transmission unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0151] In the Figures, identical or substantially functionally identical or similar elements are denoted using the same reference signs.

[0152] FIG. 1 shows a section of a bioreactor 1 having a container 13 and an end plate 11 which closes the container 13. The container 13 or its wall and the end plate 11 surround an interior 14. The interior 14 may define a reaction chamber of the bioreactor 1.

[0153] The bioreactor 1 also comprises an agitator shaft 12 which is guided into the interior 14 and is coupled to a drive unit 15 which is arranged on the end plate 11. The drive unit 15 can be used to cause the agitator shaft 12 and therefore an agitator of the bioreactor 1 to rotate in order to thoroughly mix contents, preferably a reaction medium.

[0154] The bioreactor 1 shown in FIG. 1 also comprises two field devices 50a, 50b which are each coupled to a communication unit. The communication units are parts of the data transmission unit.

[0155] Configurations having only one field device and only one communication unit or having more than two field devices and accordingly more than two communication units are also possible. Configurations in which two or more field devices are connected to a common communicator piece using a respective adapter piece are also possible.

[0156] The data transmission unit comprises a motor head piece 40 which is installed on the drive unit 15 and is coupled at least in terms of energy to the latter. The motor head piece 40 is therefore designed to supply the drive unit 15 with energy. In particular, motor head electronics may be electrically connected to drive electronics of the drive unit 40. The motor head piece 40 may preferably be designed to be coupled in terms of signaling to the drive unit 15. As a result, the motor head electronics can preferably also control the drive unit.

[0157] A feeder cable 43 is connected to the motor head piece 40. This feeder cable 43 may preferably comprise at least four wires, two for supplying energy and two for transmitting data. The motor head piece 40 can be electrically connected to an evaluation unit via the feeder cable 43. The signal-carrying wires may make it possible to transmit data according to the EIA485/RS485 standard, for example. The use of a differential-based transmission technology enables particularly robust communication which is not susceptible to errors.

[0158] The motor head electronics may preferably be designed to transmit signals to the evaluation unit using Modbus, for example, or to receive signals from the evaluation unit. The motor head electronics may also be designed to operate, during bridge operation, between the field devices and the evaluation unit or a control unit and additionally as a hub for field devices on a bioreactor.

[0159] The evaluation unit may preferably be designed to receive signals, preferably from the data transmission unit, and to evaluate said signals. The evaluation unit may also be designed to generate signals and to transmit them to the data transmission unit. These signals may preferably be used to control and/or calibrate the field devices 50a, 50b. Particularly preferably, the evaluation unit may receive signals from the data transmission unit, may evaluate these signals and, on the basis of these signals, may generate signals and transmit them to the data transmission unit.

[0160] The communication units each comprise an adapter piece 20a, 20b and a communicator piece 30a, 30b. The adapter piece 20a, 20b comprises adapter electronics which are electrically connected to the field device electronics of one of the field devices 50a, 50b. The communicator piece 30a, 30b comprises communicator electronics which are electrically connected to the adapter electronics and to the motor head electronics of the motor head 40.

[0161] The motor head piece 40 shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the communicator pieces 30a, 30b in a wired manner. For this purpose, the motor head piece 40 has sockets 42 which are each in the form of a communication interface. The motor head interfaces 31a, 31b of the communicator piece 30a, 30b are each in the form of a connection on a cable 32, wherein the cable 32 can be permanently or releasably fitted to the motor head interfaces 31a, 31b. In this case, the connection is in the form of a connector which is configured to be connected to contacts of the socket 42 on the motor head piece 40.

[0162] This configuration makes it possible to communicate signals between the field devices 50a, 50b and the adapter pieces 20a, 20b and between the adapter pieces 20a, 20b and the communicator pieces 30a, 30b and between the communicator pieces 30a, 30b and the motor head piece 40. The adapter electronics not shown in FIG. 1 each comprise a signal converter in order to convert the signals from the field device 50a, 50b, preferably into standardized signals, and to transmit the signals to communicator electronics of the communicator piece 30a, 30b. The adapter electronics may preferably be designed to receive signals from the communicator electronics, to convert them by means of the signal converter and to transmit them to field device electronics.

[0163] The field devices 50a, 50b, the adapter pieces 20a, 20b, the communicator pieces 30a, 30b and the motor head piece 40 are separate components which are coupled to one another.

[0164] Signals can be transmitted between at least two field devices 50a, 50b and the evaluation unit by means of the data transmission unit as a result of the motor head piece 40 being coupled in terms of signaling to the evaluation unit and the respective adapter piece 20a, 20b being coupled in terms of signaling to the field device 50a, 50b.

[0165] Different field devices 50a, 50b are generally configured to transmit different signals carrying field device information and measurement information and/or to receive different signals carrying control information. For example, field devices 50a, 50b may transmit and/or receive digital or analog signals. In particular, field devices 50a, 50b may generate analog signals. For this reason, it is necessary to use accordingly configured adapter pieces 20a, 20b in order to be able to convert these signals and to be able to transmit them to the communicator piece 30a, 30b and/or in order to be able to receive these signals from the communicator piece 30a, 30b, to convert them and to transmit them to the field device 50a, 50b.

[0166] In contrast to the adapter piece 20a, 20b, the communicator piece 30a, 30b may preferably have an identical design for each communication unit. The communicator pieces 30a, 30b may therefore preferably have a standard configuration. Communicator electronics of each communicator piece 30a, 30b are electrically connected to the motor head electronics in order to receive signals from the field device 50a, 50b via the adapter piece 20a, 20b and to transmit these signals to the motor head electronics and/or to receive signals from the motor head electronics and to transmit them to the field device 50a, 50b via the adapter piece 20a, 20b. As a result, the motor head electronics can receive signals from the individual field devices 50a, 50b and/or can transmit signals to the latter.

[0167] As a result of different adapter pieces 20a, 20b which are configured in accordance with the field devices 50a, 50b, the bioreactor 1, in particular, the data transmission unit, can be individually adapted to customer requirements. As a result, only an accordingly configured adapter piece 20a, 20b must be designed on the hardware side—the outlay involved in integrating a new field device 50a, 50b in the bioreactor 1 is therefore considerably lower.

[0168] FIG. 2 shows, on the left, a communication unit which is coupled to a field device 50 and has an adapter piece 20 and a communicator piece 30. According to the exemplary embodiment shown here, the adapter piece 20 is installed directly on the field device 50 and is electrically connected to the latter. The communicator piece 30 is likewise installed directly on the adapter piece 20 and is connected to the latter. The communicator piece 30 has a motor head interface 31 which is in the form of a connection on a cable. In this case, the connection is in the form of a connector which is configured to be connected to contacts 44 of a socket 42 on the motor head piece. The socket 42 is formed on a housing 41 of the motor head piece.

[0169] FIG. 3 shows a field device 50 having a connection interface 51 which can be coupled to a field device interface 22 of the adapter piece 20. The connection interface 51 and the field device interface 22 make it possible to couple the field device 50 to the adapter piece 20. The adapter electronics not illustrated in FIG. 3 are accommodated on a printed circuit board, a PCBA, 24.

[0170] The adapter piece 20 has a field device interface 22 which is in the form of pins 23 on the printed circuit board 24. According to the example shown here, the printed circuit board 24 has a total of six pairs of pins 23. At least two pins thereof may be configured, for example, to enable an electrical connection between the adapter electronics and the field device electronics, wherein these pins 23 are preferably configured as outputs and/or inputs. In addition, the printed circuit board 24 may preferably have two pins 23 which are configured to supply energy. The printed circuit board 24 may have, in particular, two spring contacts which enable an electrical connection between the adapter electronics and the communicator electronics. The printed circuit board 24 could have, for example, the following sample assignment: +24 V, GND, RS485+, RS485−, Analog1, Analog2.

[0171] The pins 23 may preferably have partial metallization of the contact areas, in particular, gold plating.

[0172] FIG. 4 shows exemplary method steps for providing a data transmission unit. In this case, a motor head piece which can be coupled in terms of signaling to an evaluation unit and can be coupled in terms of energy to a drive unit which can be arranged on an end plate of a bioreactor, comprising motor head electronics, is selected or provided in a step 110. In a further step 120, communication units are assembled. Step 120 of assembling the communication units also comprises a step 121 of selecting adapter pieces each having adapter electronics on the basis of the field devices to be coupled to these adapter pieces, and a step 122 of providing communicator pieces each having communicator electronics, and a step 123 of coupling the adapter pieces to a respective communicator piece of the communicator pieces, and a respective step 124 of electrically connecting the adapter electronics to the communicator electronics. The communicator electronics are also electrically connected to the motor head electronics in a step 130.