Autosampler Gas Circulation for Uniform Sample Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autosamplers face challenges in uniformly adjusting the temperature of a sample plate, leading to temperature variations among samples, and require inefficient air temperature adjustments to achieve uniformity quickly.
Innovation Solution
An autosampler design featuring a sample storage space, a temperature adjustment space separated by a thermal insulation board with specific aperture ratios and distances, and a circulation device that adjusts gas temperature using radiators, ensuring uniform gas flow rates and efficient temperature adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If direct cooling method is used to adjust sample temperature quickly, then temperature adjustment speed is improved, but temperature distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent cooling units, each equipped with its own heat exchanger and temperature control mechanism. This allows different regions of the sample plate to be cooled independently and simultaneously, achieving both fast temperature adjustment and uniform temperature distribution across all samples.
Solution Approach 2:
Each cooling unit is designed with locally optimized aperture ratios and heat exchanger configurations tailored to the specific thermal requirements of its region. The aperture ratios of communicating holes are adjusted according to position to ensure uniform gas flow rates and temperature distribution across different areas of the sample plate.
2Temperature
If air temperature adjustment method is used to achieve uniform temperature distribution, then temperature uniformity is improved, but temperature adjustment efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air temperature adjustment system is divided into multiple independent cooling units, each capable of simultaneously adjusting the temperature of its designated region. This segmentation enables parallel temperature adjustment across the entire sample plate, maintaining uniformity while significantly improving adjustment speed and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses gas circulation through communicating holes with optimized aperture ratios to transfer thermal energy efficiently. By controlling gas flow rates through pneumatic design, the system achieves rapid and uniform temperature adjustment across all samples without requiring direct contact cooling.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform aperture ratios are used in all cooling units, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but gas flow uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Each cooling unit is designed with locally optimized aperture ratios that vary according to its position and thermal requirements. This local customization ensures uniform gas flow rates and temperature distribution across all regions, with the trade-off managed through standardized modular designs that maintain reasonable manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture ratios of communicating holes are adjusted as a key parameter to optimize gas flow distribution. By changing the aperture ratios according to position and thermal requirements, the system achieves uniform temperature adjustment while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through systematic parameter optimization.
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 allows for highly efficient temperature adjustment in the sample storage space, reducing temperature variations and improving the speed of achieving uniform sample temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger that adjusts a temperature of gas flowing in the temperature adjustment space
Implementation Method 2
a circulation device that causes gas to circulate between the sample storage space and the temperature adjustment space
Data Source
AI summary
A circulation device causes gas to circulate between a sample storage space and a temperature adjustment space through the first and second opening regions in a separating member. A temperature of gas flowing in the temperature adjustment space is adjusted by a heat exchanger, so that the temperature of gas surrounding a sample in the sample storage space is adjusted. The separating member further has first and second unit regions. The second opening region includes a first portion located in the first unit region and a second portion located in the second unit region. The shortest distance between the first portion and the first opening region is larger than the shortest distance between the second portion and the first opening region, and an aperture ratio of the first portion in the first unit region is larger than an aperture ratio of the second portion in the second unit region.