Automatic Analyzer Probe Cleaning with Heated Solution Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic analyzers face inefficiencies in supplying a heated cleaning solution for probe cleaning, leading to increased time, temperature non-uniformities, and waste due to existing methods, which either require additional heating mechanisms or inefficient heat transfer and solution replacement.
Innovation Solution
An automatic analyzer configuration that includes a dispensing probe, a cleaning container, a cleaning-solution supply unit, and a heating unit, where the cleaning solution is heated within a passage before being reused, allowing for efficient and rapid supply of a heated cleaning solution to the probe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heating mechanism is placed around the reservoir to directly heat the cleaning solution, then the cleaning solution temperature can be increased, but the device size increases and heat transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A heat insulating passage is introduced as an intermediary component between the cleaning solution reservoir and the heating source. This passage serves as a thermal mediator that directs and controls heat transfer to the cleaning solution, enabling effective heating while maintaining a compact device structure and avoiding the need for complex external heating mechanisms around the reservoir.
2Loss of time
If the cleaning solution is preheated before being supplied into the reservoir, then the cleaning time is shortened, but the cleaning solution temperature decreases over time due to the open upper portion of the reservoir
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning solution is preheated in advance through the heat insulating passage before being supplied into the reservoir, ensuring it reaches the required temperature for effective cleaning. The heat insulating structure maintains this temperature by preventing heat loss during storage, allowing the cleaning solution to remain effective throughout the cleaning process without continuous heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat insulating passage acts as a thermal barrier that prevents heat loss from the preheated cleaning solution in the reservoir. This intermediary structure maintains the temperature of the cleaning solution over time, compensating for the open upper portion of the reservoir that would otherwise cause rapid cooling.
3Productivity
If room-temperature cleaning solution is replaced by pushing out with high-temperature cleaning solution, then replacement is achieved, but the room-temperature solution remains near the wall due to frictional resistance, requiring excessive heating
Solution Approach 1:
The heat insulating passage serves as a thermal intermediary that efficiently transfers heat to the cleaning solution during the replacement process. This ensures that even when room-temperature solution remains near the walls, the heated solution can effectively mix and maintain temperature without requiring excessive heating energy, as the insulating passage prevents heat loss during the replacement operation.
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
This configuration enables the efficient and rapid supply of a heated cleaning solution, reducing waste and improving cleaning efficiency by minimizing the need for additional mechanisms and optimizing heat transfer, thus enhancing the cleaning process.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit that is thermally connected to the passage to heat the cleaning solution to be supplied to the cleaning container
Data Source
AI summary
To clean a reagent probe 7a, 8a or a sample probe 11a, 12a with a heated cleaning solution, after a first cleaning solution is caused to overflow from a first cleaning container 23 or a second cleaning container 24, the first cleaning solution is temporarily drawn back into the cleaning-solution heating passage 125 to be heated by the heating mechanism 123. After the heating, the first cleaning solution thus heated is re-supplied to the first cleaning container 23 or the second cleaning container 24. As a result, the cleaning solution heated to clean a dispensing probe can be supplied to a cleaning bath with efficiency.