Cooling Module Thermal Insulation Sealing for Condensation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling modules for laboratory use suffer from water condensation within their cold structures, leading to water entry into reagents and subsequent dilution, which can result in failed reactions or imprecise assay results.
Innovation Solution
A cooling module design that includes a housing with a cooling block and compartments for containers, featuring a cover made of thermal insulating material that seals the openings, preventing external moisture from entering and reducing condensation inside the module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cooling module is left open for access, then ease of operation is improved, but water condensation enters reagents causing dilution and compromised reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The module is divided into multiple sealed compartments, each with its own access mechanism. This allows selective access to individual containers while maintaining sealing of other compartments, enabling ease of operation without compromising overall reagent integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealed access mechanism acts as an intermediary between the user and the reagents. This intermediary component allows access to containers while preventing direct exposure to external moisture and condensation, thus maintaining reagent integrity during operation.
2Reliability
If the cooling module is sealed to prevent condensation, then reagent integrity is improved, but access to containers becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sealed module is segmented into multiple independently accessible compartments. Each compartment can be accessed through its own sealed interface, allowing users to retrieve containers without breaking the overall seal or exposing other compartments to external moisture.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing mechanism incorporates dynamic elements that allow controlled opening and closing of compartment accesses. The sealed interfaces can transition between sealed and open states, enabling easy access when needed while maintaining the sealed state during storage to prevent condensation.
3Reliability
If thermal insulation is added to reduce condensation, then reagent integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Thin film sealing elements and flexible sealing shells are used throughout the module. These thin-film-based sealing mechanisms provide effective thermal insulation and condensation prevention without adding significant structural complexity or bulk to the module design.
Solution Approach 2:
The module employs composite sealing structures that combine multiple materials with complementary properties. These composite sealing elements provide both thermal insulation and mechanical sealing functionality in a single integrated component, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reagent integrity.
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 effectively maintains a constant temperature inside the cooling module and seals it against external moisture, significantly reducing water condensation and preventing reagent dilution, thus ensuring accurate and reliable laboratory results.
Implementation Method 1
the cover is made of a thermal insulating material
Implementation Method 2
water condenses in cold structures of the cooling module
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling module for receiving a plurality of containers has a housing that includes at least one opening, a cooling block arranged into the housing, at least one compartment for receiving the containers via the opening, and at least one cover for covering the opening against the exterior.