Convective PCR Heating Device with Heat Pump Temperature Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating devices for convective polymerase chain reactions face issues with thermal disturbances and inefficient heat dissipation due to structural fixings and limitations of heat pump elements, particularly in extreme temperature conditions, leading to poor temperature control and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A heating device incorporating a heat pump element with a controller to manage temperature differences between its surfaces, paired with low thermal resistance heating blocks and a temperature sensor to control thermal energy transfer, allowing for efficient temperature gradient formation and heat convection within a bio-reaction chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high thermal resistance materials are used for structural fixings to reduce thermal disturbances, then temperature control stability in low temperature zone is improved, but heat dissipation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat dissipation function from the structural fixings by introducing dedicated heat dissipation components (heat dissipation fins or fans) that are separate from the structural support elements. This allows the structural fixings to use high thermal resistance materials for stability while dedicated components handle heat dissipation efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces heat dissipation fins or fans as intermediary components between the heating blocks and the environment. These intermediaries facilitate efficient heat transfer from the heating blocks to the surrounding air, resolving the contradiction between maintaining thermal isolation through fixings and achieving effective heat dissipation.
2Temperature
If heat pump element operates with large temperature difference to reach high temperature, then heating capability is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates and service life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temperature control function into two independent heating blocks with separate heat pump elements, each operating at moderate temperature differences. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high overall temperature capability while each individual heat pump element operates within efficient and reliable temperature ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the heat pump elements by controlling them to operate at moderate temperature differences rather than large ones. The controller adjusts the operating parameters to maintain optimal temperature gradients, improving energy efficiency and service life while still achieving the required heating temperatures through the segmented architecture.
3Temperature
If heat pump element operates with large temperature difference to reach high temperature, then heating capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heating system into multiple heating blocks, each with its own heat pump element operating at moderate temperature differences. This segmentation reduces the power consumption of each individual heat pump element compared to using a single element operating at a large temperature difference, while achieving the same overall heating capability.
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
The solution enables stable temperature control, reduced thermal disturbances, and improved energy efficiency by minimizing the operating temperature difference of the heat pump element, thus extending its service life and reducing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The heat pump element can form a temperature difference (ΔT) between cold and hot surfaces
Implementation Method 2
a heating element, configured to receive an energy and further transform the energy into a first thermal energy
Implementation Method 3
a temperature sensor, configured to generate a sensing result according to the first thermal energy
Implementation Method 4
a container containing samples to be tested would be directly heated in a convection manner so as to form a temperature gradient at each of the samples. Upon such a convective heating, the samples would vary their own temperatures up and down repeatedly, and thus expected heat circulation would be induced
Implementation Method 5
a first heating block, contacted with the first surface of the first heat pump element and also the heating element, configured to receive the first thermal energy from the heating element and further transfer the first thermal energy to the first heat pump element
Data Source
AI summary
A heating device includes a heating element, a temperature sensor, a first heat pump element, a first heating block, a second heating block and a controller. The heating element is to receive an energy of the controller and convert the energy into a first thermal energy provided to the first heating block. A sensing result is generated by the temperature sensor according to the first thermal energy. The first heat pump element is to receive the energy of the controller for generating a temperature difference. The first thermal energy is conducted to the first heat pump element for forming a second thermal energy. The second heating block is to receive the second thermal energy. The controller correspondingly outputs the energy to the heating element and the first heat pump element according to the sensing result, and thereby controls the first thermal energy and the temperature difference.