Apparatus equipped with sample temperature control function
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Solution Overview
Problem
In air cooling systems for liquid chromatography autosamplers, external air inflow through the rack insertion opening can lead to dew condensation, causing operational malfunctions such as rusting and short-circuiting, especially when the sample rack is pulled out, due to the introduction of air with a higher dew point temperature.
Innovation Solution
The air temperature control system incorporates a rising guide to direct cooled air above the rack insertion opening when the sample rack is pulled out and an external air intake part to pressurize the temperature control space, reducing air inflow and preventing dew condensation by ensuring that external air is cooled and dehumidified before entering the space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rack insertion opening is left open to allow easy access for sample rack insertion and removal, then ease of operation is improved, but external air inflow causes dew condensation leading to operational malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
A seal member (flexible film/shell) is installed at the rack insertion opening to flexibly open when the sample rack is inserted or removed, and automatically close to seal the opening when the rack is not present, preventing external air inflow and dew condensation while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
A guide member is introduced as an intermediary component to guide the sample rack during insertion and removal operations, ensuring proper alignment and smooth operation of the rack while the seal member remains closed, thus maintaining both ease of operation and reliability
2Ease of operation
If a pull-out sample rack design is used for easy sample installation, then ease of operation is improved, but the rack insertion opening remains open during rack removal allowing external air to enter
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member made of flexible material automatically conforms to the presence or absence of the pull-out sample rack, remaining closed to prevent dew condensation while allowing easy insertion and removal operations
3Temperature
If the temperature control space is cooled to maintain sample temperature, then temperature control is improved, but the temperature difference with external air increases dew condensation risk when air enters
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member prevents the mixing of cooled air inside the temperature control space with warmer external air, eliminating dew condensation risk while maintaining effective temperature control for samples
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 effectively suppresses the inflow of external air and prevents dew condensation, maintaining the adiabatic sealing property of the temperature control space and preventing operational malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
air in the temperature control space is cooled by a cooling element, such as a Peltier element
Implementation Method 2
a fan for blowing air taken in from the air intake portion toward the sample rack accommodated in the temperature control space
Implementation Method 3
a rising guide to direct cooled air above the rack insertion opening when the sample rack is pulled out
Implementation Method 4
an external air intake part to pressurize the temperature control space, reducing air inflow and preventing dew condensation by ensuring that external air is cooled and dehumidified before entering the space
Implementation Method 5
external air is cooled and dehumidified before entering the space
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
To suppress inflow of external air through a rack insertion opening while a sample rack is pulled out. An apparatus includes a housing, a temperature control space, and an air temperature control part. The housing has the rack insertion opening on one side surface for putting in and taking out the sample rack. The air temperature control part has an air intake portion for intake of air in the temperature control space, a fan for blowing air taken in from the air intake portion toward the sample rack accommodated in the temperature control space, and a cooling element provided to cool the air on a path of air taken in from the air intake portion. The air temperature control part is configured to reduce an amount of air flowing near the rack insertion opening while the sample rack is pulled out from the temperature control space as compared to while the sample rack is accommodated in the temperature control space, so as to suppress inflow of air through the rack insertion opening.