Dual-Bath Liquid Bath Layout for Uniform Vertical Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional constant temperature liquid baths using thermo-modules for temperature control by the Peltier effect face issues with temperature distribution and stirring efficiency, particularly when objects are immersed, leading to poor vertical flow and significant temperature differences between the upper and lower portions of the bath.
Innovation Solution
A constant temperature liquid bath design featuring an outer and inner bath with a flow path and agitator rotor blade that introduces liquid upward through the sidewalls, enhancing vertical stirring and heat exchange efficiency by directing liquid flow through multiple holes along the sidewall and around the thermo-module, ensuring uniform temperature distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional stirring impeller or magnetic rotor is used to stir the liquid, then the liquid is stirred in the circumferential direction, but the vertical flow of liquid is hindered by the immersed object, resulting in poor temperature distribution and significant temperature difference between upper and lower portions of the bath
Solution Approach 1:
The bath is divided into an inner bath and an outer bath, with the stirring mechanism (agitator with rotor blade) located in the outer bath. This segmentation allows the stirring action to occur in a region separate from where objects are immersed in the inner bath, preventing obstruction of vertical flow while maintaining effective mixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional horizontal/circumferential stirring to vertical stirring by introducing an agitator with a rotor blade that rotates in the outer bath, generating upward vertical flow. This dimensional change in stirring direction overcomes the problem of blocked vertical flow caused by immersed objects.
2Temperature
If the liquid is stirred mainly in the circumferential direction, then the stirring mechanism is simple, but the temperature distribution in the bath becomes extremely poor and a temperature difference is generated between upper and lower portions
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the bath into inner and outer regions with the stirring mechanism in the outer region allows for more complex vertical stirring action without interfering with the inner bath contents, achieving better temperature uniformity while managing complexity through spatial separation.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the stirring direction from horizontal to vertical through the agitator's rotor blade configuration, the system achieves superior temperature distribution. The increased complexity in stirring pattern is justified by the significant improvement in thermal uniformity.
3Reliability
If a thermo-module is used for temperature control, then the heat supply apparatus can be reduced in size and temperature control is easy, but efficient heat exchange and uniform liquid flow must be maintained even when objects are immersed
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-bath structure segments the system so that the compact thermo-module can be mounted on the outer surface of the outer bath, maintaining space efficiency while the vertical flow generated in the outer bath ensures efficient heat exchange across the entire liquid volume, even with objects in the inner bath.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical flow pattern created by the agitator in the outer bath enhances heat exchange efficiency in the vertical dimension, ensuring uniform temperature distribution throughout the bath. This maintains reliable temperature control with the compact thermo-module despite the added structural complexity of the dual-bath design.
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 design efficiently maintains constant liquid temperature and enhances heat exchange between the heat source and liquid, allowing for swift and uniform temperature adjustments even when objects are immersed, significantly reducing temperature differences within the bath.
Implementation Method 1
an agitator which introduces upward the liquid which flows from the opening of the bottom of the inner bath through sidewalls of the inner and outer baths by means of a rotor blade disposed on a central portion of a bottom between the outer bath and the inner bath
Implementation Method 2
a heat supply apparatus having a thermo-module which adjusts temperature by Peltier effect
Implementation Method 3
the temperature of the liquid flowing between the inner and outer baths is controlled to a set value based on output of a temperature sensor which detects the temperature of the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A constant temperature liquid bath using a thermo-module in which even if an article whose temperature is to be controlled exists in the bath, the temperature of the liquid is efficiently adjusted to a constant value. The liquid bath includes an outer bath storing the liquid, an inner bath disposed in the outer bath through a gap, and including holes in its sidewall through which the liquid flows into the inner bath from the outer bath and an opening at a central portion of its bottom, and an agitator that causes the liquid to flow upward from the opening of the bottom of the inner bath between sidewalls of the inner and outer baths by a rotor blade disposed on a central portion of a bottom between the outer bath and the inner bath. The thermo-module is mounted on an outer surface of the sidewall of the outer bath.