Automatic analysis device, cold storage, and method for cooling reagent in automatic analysis device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic analysis devices face challenges in preventing dew condensation on the outer surfaces of reagent cooling boxes without increasing the device's outer diameter, which can affect reagent temperature and compromise the cooling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a heating unit, such as an electric heating wire, is strategically placed at the boundary part between the casing and lid of the reagent cooling box to elevate the surface temperature above the dew point, suppressing condensation without expanding the device's dimensions, while maintaining optimal reagent temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a warm air duct is provided on the reagent cooling box outer side to heat the reagent suction hole or outer surface, then dew condensation is prevented, but the outer diameter of the reagent cooling box increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful cold air leakage is extracted and localized to specific gap regions (between door-like component and casing, at window edges). The heating function is then applied only to these specific extracted regions rather than the entire cooling box, preventing dew condensation at problem areas without requiring a large warm air duct that would increase the outer diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of uniformly heating the entire reagent cooling box outer surface, the patent applies heating locally only to specific regions where dew condensation occurs (gap regions and window edges). This localized heating approach prevents dew condensation at critical areas while minimizing the heating system size and avoiding increase in outer diameter.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the reagent cooling box is heated to prevent dew condensation, then the outer surface temperature increases, but the reagent temperature may be significantly affected
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into separate heating regions (door-like component, window frame, casing) that are spatially separated from the reagent storage region. This segmentation allows independent temperature control - the outer surface can be heated to prevent dew condensation while the reagent region maintains its required low temperature through the cooling box insulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thermal insulation as an intermediary layer between the heating elements and the reagent storage space. This insulation layer allows the outer surface to be heated for dew condensation prevention while blocking heat transfer to the reagent, maintaining the temperature separation between the two regions.
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 solution effectively prevents dew condensation on the outer surfaces of the reagent cooling box without increasing the device's size, ensuring the reagent remains at a stable temperature and reducing the risk of water accumulation and mold formation, thus enhancing the device's operational reliability and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit, at least one of which is arranged on an outer peripheral part of a lid of the reagent cooling box
Implementation Method 2
a reagent cooling box that stores a reagent container housing a reagent; a heat absorption unit that is provided in a lower portion of the reagent cooling box and cools an inner part of the reagent cooling box
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an automatic analysis device, a cooling box, and a cooling method for a reagent in the automatic analysis device capable of suppressing dew condensation on the outside of the reagent cooling box without increasing an outer diameter of the cooling box and without affecting a reagent temperature. The automatic analysis device 100 is a device that is configured to measure physical properties of reaction liquid in which a sample and a reagent are dispensed respectively and reacted in a reaction container 30, and includes a reagent cooling box 24 that is configured to store a reagent container 106 housing the reagent, and a heating unit that is disposed on an outer peripheral part of the reagent cooling box 24 to heat the outer peripheral part.