Stirring device and laboratory device with such a stirring device

Abstract

The invention relates to a stirring device (1) which has at least one stirring element (4) which is driven by a stirring drive (2), contacts a stirring medium (3) in the use position, can be moved relative to the stirring drive (2) and to the stirring medium (3), and can be at least partly immersed into the stirring medium (3) in the use position. The invention is characterized in that stirring drive (2) is arranged in the interior of the stirring element (4). The stirring device (1) is and/or can be supported by the stirring medium (3), in particular without a holder and/or without a stand, whereby a separate mounting, a stand for a stirring element and/or for a stirring drive, and/or a stirring drive housing can be omitted.

Claims

1. A stirring device (1) for stirring a stirring medium (3), the stirring device (1) comprising at least one stirring element (4), driven by a stirring drive (2), movable relative to the stirring drive (2) and to the stirring medium (3), and at least partially immersible in stirring medium (3), so as to be in contact therewith, in a use position, wherein the stirring element (4) includes a stirring element housing (6) which is sealed close or closable in a liquid-tight manner, the stirring drive (2) being arranged in the interior of the stirring element (4).

2. The stirring device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stirring device (1) is supported by the stirring medium (3) without a holder or a stand.

3. The stirring device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stirring drive (2) has a stirring drive housing (7) which is arranged in the stirring element housing (6), wherein the stirring element housing (6) and the stirring drive housing (7) are moveable relative to one another.

4. The stirring device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the stirring device (1) has a stabilizing device (8), wherein the stabilizing device restricts movement of at least one of the stirring drive (2) and the stirring drive housing (7) to enable relative movability between the stirring element (4) and the stirring drive (2).

5. The stirring device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the stabilizing device (8) includes at least one of a flywheel (10) and a stabilizing weight (11) arranged eccentrically on at least one of the stirring drive (2) and the stirring drive housing (7).

6. The stirring device according to claim 1, wherein the stirring drive (2) is an electric drive.

7. The stirring device according to claim 1, wherein the stirring device (1) has a stabilizing drive with at least one stabilizing element (9).

8. The stirring device according to claim 1, wherein the stirring device (1) has at least one electrical power source (13) which is connected or connectable to the stirring drive (2) for electrical supply of the same.

9. The stirring device according to claim 1, wherein the stirring drive (2) is a geared motor, a drive of the geared motor being connected to an inner side (16) of the stirring element housing (6).

10. The stirring device according to claim 1, wherein the stirring element housing (6) is reversibly openable and sealably closable in a liquid-tight manner by means of a seal.

11. The stirring device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the stirring device (1) has a charging coil (15) equipped for contactless electrical charging, which is connected to the electrical power source (15) of the stirring device (1).

12. The stirring device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the stirring device (1) has a plurality of stabilizing elements (9), the rotational axes of the stabilization elements (9) being aligned at an angle to one another.

13. The stirring device (1) according to claim 1, wherein a rotational axis of the stirring drive (2) passes through a center of the stirring element housing (6).

14. The stirring device (1) according to claim 12, wherein a rotational axis of at least one of the stabilizing elements (9) passes through a center of the stirring element housing (6).

15. The stirring device according to claim 12, wherein a rotational axis of at least one of the stabilizing elements, is transverse to a rotational axis of the stirring drive (2).

16. The stirring device according to claim 1, wherein a total weight of the stirring device (1) is at least as great as a weight of an amount of the stirring medium (3) displaced by the stirring device (1) completely immersed into the stirring medium (3).

17. The stirring device according to claim 1, wherein the stirring element has, on the outer side of the stirring element housing, at least one external projection.

18. The stirring device according to claim 1, wherein a sum of a static drive force and a dynamic drive force caused by the movement of the stirring element (4) is at most as great as a weight force acting on the stirring device (1) in the use position.

19. The stirring device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stirring element housing (6) has a shape selected from a group of consisting of spherical, egg-shaped, and cylindrical.

20. The stirring device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stirring device (1) has at least one of a transmitter and a receiver (28) for wireless exchange of data with an external control.

21. Laboratory equipment comprising at least one stirring device according to claim 1 and comprising at least one container for accommodating the stirring medium (3) and the at least one stirring device (1).

22. The stirring device according to claim 7, wherein the stabilizing element (9) includes a flywheel (10).

23. The stirring device according to claim 7, wherein the stirring device (1) has at least one electrical power source which is connected or connectable to the stabilizing drive.

24. The stirring device according to claim 7, wherein the stirring device (1) has a charging coil equipped for contactless electrical charging, which is connected to the stabilizing drive.

25. The stirring device according to claim 8, wherein the power source is a battery.

26. The stirring device according to claim 8, wherein the power source is a rechargeable accumulator.

27. The stirring device according to claim 8, wherein the power source is inductively chargeable.

28. The stirring device according to claim 12, wherein the stabilizing elements (9) each include a flywheel.

Description

(1) An embodiment of the invention is subsequently explained in greater detail by way of the drawings. The figures are shown in sometimes strongly schematic representation.

(2) FIG. 1: shows a side view of a stirring device according to the invention in the use position thereof positioned in a stirring container or a container, wherein it is clear that the stirring device is suspended above the bottom of the stirring container in the stirring medium,

(3) FIG. 2: shows a perspective side view of the stirring device according to the invention shown in the use position thereof according to FIG. 1, wherein only a lower half of a stirring element housing of the stirring element of the stirring device and a stirring drive housing of a stirring drive of the stirring device placed therein are clear, whereas an upper half of the stirring element housing is removed for a better overview, and

(4) FIG. 3: shows a cutaway exploded representation of the stirring device according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein a stirring drive, a holder for the stirring drive, a stabilizing element designed as a fly wheel, a weight, a stabilizing drive, a charging coil, and an accumulator as a power source on the other side of the stirring drive, and also an electronic component for the stirring drive, and the elements connected to the stirring drive, are clear when viewed from the inside to the outside.

(5) A stirring device, designated as a whole as 1, has at least one stirring element 4, which is driven by a stirring drive 2, contacts a stirring medium 3 in the use position, is moveable relative to stirring drive 2 and to stirring medium 3, and is at least partially immersible into stirring medium 3 in the use position.

(6) Stirring device 1 is characterized in that stirring drive 2 is arranged in the interior of stirring element 4.

(7) It is clear from FIG. 1, that stirring device 1 is supported without a holder and without a stand by or through stirring medium 3. Thus, this stirring device 1 does not require stands, legs, holders, or other elements positioned outside of a container or stirring container 5 functioning to accommodate stirring medium 3. A separate stirring drive housing positioned outside of the stirring drive accommodating the housing of the stirring drive, may also be omitted.

(8) Stirring element 4 has a stirring element housing 6, whereas stirring drive 2 is provided with a stirring drive housing 7. Stirring drive housing 7 with stirring drive 2 is arranged in stirring element housing 6 in the use position according to FIGS. 2 and 3, wherein stirring element housing 6 and stirring drive housing 7 are movable relative to one another.

(9) Stirring device 1 is additionally equipped with a stabilizing device 8 which has at least one stabilizing element 9. Stabilizing device 8 and stabilizing element 9 limit or prevent a movement of stirring drive 2 and/or of stirring drive housing 7 with respect to stirring element 4 and thus enable a relative movability between stirring element 4 and stirring drive 2.

(10) Stabilizing device 8 has a flywheel 10 as the at least one stabilizing element 9. In addition, stirring device 1 is provided with a stabilizing weight 11 arranged eccentrically on stirring drive 2 or on stirring drive housing 7. Stabilizing weight 11 enables, together with flywheel 10, stirring device 1 to be able to adopt a stable position in the use position thereof immersed at least partially in stirring medium 3, even if stirring drive 2 sets stirring element 4 of stirring device 1 into motion or rotation with respect to the stirring drive.

(11) Stirring drive 2 of the stirring device shown in the figures is an electric drive.

(12) Stirring device 1 has, in addition to stirring drive 2, a stabilizing drive 12, with which stabilizing element 9, thus flywheel 10, is drivable for stabilizing the position of stirring device 1 in stirring medium 3 in the use position. Stabilizing drive 12 thereby sets flywheel 10 into rotation such that it acts in a stabilizing way on stirring device 1 by using the gyroscopic effect.

(13) FIG. 3 shows in particular that stirring device 1 has an electric power source 13. This electric power source 13 is designed as a rechargeable accumulator in the embodiment of stirring device 1 shown in the figures; however, it may also be designed as a preferably exchangeable battery in embodiments of stirring device 1 (not shown).

(14) Electric power source 13 functions for electric supply of stirring drive 2 and also of stabilizing drive 12. Electric power source 13 is connected in the use position with the stirring drive and the stabilizing drive for this purpose. In addition, stirring device 1 or electric power source 13 is inductively chargeable, in particular when the latter is designed as accumulator 14.

(15) Stirring drive 2 of stirring device 1 is a motor, in particular a geared motor, the drive 15 or drive shaft thereof is connected on an inner side 16 of stirring element 4 or of stirring element housing 6 via a coupling or rigidly to stirring element housing 6 of stirring element 4.

(16) In the embodiment of the stirring device shown in the figures, drive 15 or the drive shaft of stirring drive 2 is inserted into a recess 17, which functions as a coupling, on inner side 16 of stirring element 4 or of stirring element housing 6 in the use position.

(17) In an embodiment of stirring device 1 (not shown in the figures), at least one drive element, acting in positively locking or friction locking way on stirring element 4, drivable using stirring drive 2, is provided between stirring element 4 and stirring drive 2, in particular between stirring element housing 6 and stirring drive 2 or stirring drive housing 7.

(18) Stirring element housing 6 is sealed, in the meaning of liquid-tight, closable and closed in the use position in order to protect the elements of stirring device 1 arranged in the interior of stirring element housing 6 from moisture. In order to access the elements arranged in stirring element housing 6, for example for maintenance purposes, stirring element housing 6 is reversibly openable and closable again liquid-tight by means of a seal (not shown in the figures).

(19) Stirring element housing 6 is designed as two parts and has an upper housing half 25 and a lower housing half 26 which are connected to one another in the use position such that stirring element housing 6 is sealed closed. Both housing halves 25 and 26 are provided on an upper side or on a lower side thereof with flattened areas 27 and 28 through which the rotational axis of stirring drive 2 and stirring element 4 extends in the use position. Flattened areas 27 and 28 enable stirring device 1 to be securely deposited on a surface in the non-use position so that stirring device 1 does not roll away.

(20) In one embodiment of stirring device 1 (not shown in the figures), stirring device 1 has a liquid-tight sealable electric charging contact, which is preferably designed as a plug socket, on stirring element housing 6. This charging contact is connected to power source 13 for electrical supply of stirring drive 2 and stabilizing drive 12.

(21) Stirring device 1 shown in the figures has for this purpose a charging device 18 with a charging coil 19, designed for contactless electrical charging, which is connected to electrical power source 13 of stirring device 1 in the use position. This means that accumulator 14, which forms power source 13 in stirring device 1 shown in the figures, may be recharged by means of charging coil 19 of charging device 8 as needed.

(22) In one embodiment of stirring device 1 (not shown in the figures) it is provided that it has two or three or more stabilizing elements 9 as flywheels 10, the rotational axes thereof are designed preferably at an angle to one another in order to provide stirring device 1 with yet more stability in the use position thereof immersed at least partially into stirring medium 3.

(23) In stirring device 1 shown in the figures, a rotational axis of stirring drive 2 and of stirring drive housing 7 and of stirring element 4 and stirring element housing 6 thereof is designed as vertical, as is visible in FIG. 1.

(24) In one embodiment of stirring device 1 (not shown in the figures), a rotational axis of stirring drive 2 and of stirring drive housing 7 and of stirring element 4 and stirring element housing 6 thereof is designed as horizontal.

(25) In the stirring device shown in the figures, a rotational axis of stabilizing element 9 designed as flywheel 10 is aligned transverse to the rotational axis of stirring drive 2, thus horizontal in the use position and thus at right angles to the rotational axis of stirring drive 2 and of stirring drive housing 7 and of stirring element 4 and of stirring element housing 6 thereof.

(26) In one embodiment of stirring device 1 (not shown in the figures), the rotational axis of stabilizing element 9 may, however, also be designed as vertical.

(27) The total weight of stirring device 1 is thereby at least as great as a weight of an amount of stirring medium 3 displaced by stirring device 1 completely immersed into stirring medium 3. It is thus possible that this stirring device, as shown in FIG. 1, is suspended in stirring medium 3 in the use position without contacting a bottom 20 of stirring container 5. The buoyancy of stirring medium 3 affecting stirring device 1 thus corresponds in amount to the weight force acting on stirring device 1, by which means stirring device 1 is held in suspension. This enables that stirring device 1 completely immerses in stirring medium 3 and is completely surrounded by stirring medium 3 in the use position, by which means stirring medium 3 may be reliably processed by stirring device 1.

(28) Stirring device 1 has an external circumferential projection 22 on an outer side 21 of stirring element 4 or of stirring element housing 6 as a stirring tool, which may be aligned transverse to a rotational axis of stirring element 4, and with which stirring medium 3 may be displaced and thus processed, thus in particular, mixed through.

(29) In order that stirring device 1 does not also float up or only to a small extent during operation thereof, thus while stirring element 4 rotates, a sum of a static drive force and a dynamic drive force, caused by the movement of stirring element 4 or of the stirring tool, is at most as great as a weight force acting on stirring device 1 in the use position.

(30) Stirring element housing 6 of stirring device 1 shown in the figures is designed as spherical and has the already previously described flattened areas 27 and 28 on the upper and lower sides thereof to enable a secure storage of stirring device 1 in the non-use position.

(31) In other embodiments (not shown in the figures) stirring element housing 6 of stirring device 1 is designed as egg-shaped or also as cylindrical and may likewise be provided with corresponding flattened areas.

(32) Stirring device 1 has a transmitter and receiver 23 for wireless exchange of data and/or control commands via radio, which is preferably wirelessly linkable at least temporarily to an external control and/or programming device (not shown in the figures) or also to a second stirring device 1.

(33) This transmitter and receiver 23 for wireless exchange of data and/or control commands is arranged on a printed circuit board 24, on which necessary control and storage elements are also arranged for the operation, control, and programming of stirring device 1.

(34) The composition, shown in FIG. 1, consisting of stirring device 1 and stirring container 5, which accommodates stirring device 1 in the use position and which functions as the container for accommodating a stirring medium 3, is designated as laboratory equipment 100.

(35) Laboratory equipment 100 may thereby also comprise multiple containers or stirring containers 5 with stirring devices 1 positioned therein and, if necessary, also an already previously described control and/or programming device, with which individual or also groups of or all of stirring devices 1 assigned to laboratory equipment 100 may be controlled and/or evaluated by one user of laboratory equipment 100.

(36) Stirring device 1, which has at least stirring element 4, driven by a stirring drive 2, contacting a stirring medium 3 in the use position, movable relative to stirring drive 2 and to stirring medium 3, and at least partially immersible in stirring medium 3 in the use position, is characterized in that stirring drive 2 is arranged in the interior of stirring element 4, wherein stirring device 1 is supportable and/or is supported by and/or through stirring medium 3, in particular without a holder and/or without a stand, whereby separate holders and/or stands for a stirring element and/or a stirring drive and/or a stirring drive housing may be omitted.