Analytical Device Heat Retention Timing Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional analytical devices using the headspace method require long cycle times for sample analysis, leading to inefficient processing performance and increased operator burden due to fixed heat retention intervals and the need for pre-measurement of cooling times.
Innovation Solution
An analytical device with a room temperature sensor and heat retention start timing determination section that adjusts heat retention timing based on detected room temperature and stored sample temperatures, allowing for dynamic calculation of cooling and cycle times, reducing unnecessary margin times and operator burden.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fixed heat retention intervals are used for multiple sample containers, then processing performance is improved through overlapped heat retention, but cycle times become excessively long to accommodate variable cooling times and room temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the heat retention start timing variable rather than fixed. The control section dynamically adjusts the heat retention start timing for each sample container based on the detected room temperature and the cooling time calculated from the ending temperature of the previous sample and starting temperature of the next sample. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize cycle times for each individual sample while maintaining overlapped heat retention for improved productivity.
2Reliability
If margin time is increased to accommodate cooling time variations, then reliability of analysis timing is improved, but processing performance deteriorates due to unnecessarily long cycle times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using the room temperature sensor to detect current temperature conditions and incorporating this information into the calculation of heat retention start timing. The control section receives feedback from the temperature sensor and adjusts the timing accordingly, ensuring that sufficient margin time is provided only when necessary based on actual cooling conditions rather than using a fixed conservative margin for all samples.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the heat retention start timing parameter based on multiple factors including room temperature, ending temperature of previous samples, and starting temperature of next samples. This parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain reliable analysis timing while minimizing unnecessary margin time and optimizing cycle times for each specific condition.
3Measurement precision
If pre-measurement of cooling times is required for each sample, then accuracy of cycle time calculation is improved, but operator burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the analytical device to automatically calculate and determine heat retention start timing without requiring operator intervention for pre-measurement. The control section uses the room temperature sensor data and stored temperature parameters to automatically compute the cooling time and set the appropriate heat retention start timing, eliminating the need for operators to manually measure and input cooling times for each sample.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing the manual mechanical process of pre-measuring cooling times with an automated computational system. The control section uses temperature sensor data and programmed calculations to determine cooling times and heat retention timing, substituting the manual measurement process with an automated electronic control mechanism that achieves the same or better precision without operator burden.
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
Improves processing performance by optimizing heat retention timing and reduces operator burden by eliminating the need for pre-measurement of cooling times, resulting in more efficient sample analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a room temperature sensor for detecting a room temperature
Implementation Method 2
a sample, which is an analysis target, is introduced into an analytical section by an autosampler from a sample container in which the sample is sealed. According to this type of analytical device, a liquid or solid sample in the sample container is vaporized due to heat of the sample container being retained
Implementation Method 3
The sample A is introduced into the column from a start timing T111 of the programmed temperature analysis, and analysis is performed until an end timing T112 of the programmed temperature analysis while increasing the temperature of the column
Data Source
AI summary
A heat retention start timing of each sample container is determined based on a room temperature detected by a room temperature sensor, and a starting temperature and an ending temperature of each sample at a time of programmed temperature analysis that are stored in an analysis condition storage section. Since cooling speed of each sample container varies depending on the room temperature, the cooling time (A12, B12, C12, . . . ) of each sample container may be predicted based on the ending temperature of each sample at the time of programmed temperature analysis, the starting temperature of a next sample at the time of the programmed temperature analysis, and the room temperature. By determining the heat retention start timing of each sample container according to the cooling time (A12, B12, C12, . . . ) of each sample container predicted in the above manner, a margin time (A13, B13, C13, . . . ) after the cooling time may be prevented from becoming unnecessarily long. Accordingly, the processing performance may be improved compared to a conventional configuration where the heat retention start timings of sample containers are shifted by fixed time intervals.