Elastic Heat Transfer Sheet for Sample Container Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing mounting and heating mechanisms for sample collection containers in preparative isolation and purification systems often fail to ensure reliable heat transfer due to dimensional variations between components, resulting in inadequate heating of the containers to the desired temperature.

Innovation Solution

A mounting and heating mechanism featuring a cup-shaped container heat transfer member, a plate-like bottom surface member, a frame member for storing the heat transfer member, and an elastic heat transfer sheet ensures close contact and efficient heat transfer, using materials like aluminum and silicone resin for improved conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If dimensional tolerances are maintained within standard manufacturing limits, then manufacturing cost and ease of production are improved, but heat transfer reliability deteriorates due to gaps forming between components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidheat transfer reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an elastic member that changes its physical state from a compressed state (when no container is present) to an expanded state (when a container is placed), thereby dynamically adjusting the contact pressure and eliminating gaps. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable heat transfer without requiring tighter manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic member is pre-compressed between the first member and the second member before a collection container is placed. This beforehand cushioning compensates for dimensional variations and ensures continuous contact between the heat transfer components, thereby maintaining reliable heat transfer while allowing standard manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If an elastic heat transfer sheet is inserted between the bottom surface member and the container heat transfer member, then heat transfer reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer reliabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a thin elastic member (elastic sheet or sponge) as the intermediary component. This flexible thin film serves multiple functions: it fills gaps, maintains contact pressure, and transfers heat. By using such a simple flexible component rather than a complex mechanical adjustment system, the patent improves heat transfer reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If the container heat transfer member is pushed downward to ensure contact, then heat transfer reliability is improved, but the risk of falling from the frame member increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer reliabilityVSAvoidfalling risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing the elastic member only at specific locations where heat transfer contact is needed (between the bottom surface member and container heat transfer member), rather than making the entire structure more complex or restrictive. This localized approach ensures reliability without unnecessarily increasing overall device complexity or falling risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 reliable heating of sample collection containers to the desired temperature, enhancing the efficiency of the preparative isolation and purification process by ensuring consistent heat transfer.

Implementation Method 1

The bottom surface member is a plate-like member heated by a heater, and this surface is made of aluminum with high thermal conductivity... the bottom surface of a cup-shaped container heat transfer member... is fixed to the frame so as to touch the top surface of the bottom surface member, and a collection container is heated from the bottom surface and the side surface by the heat transmitted from the bottom surface member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

Between the top surface of the bottom surface member and the bottom surface of the container heat transfer member, a heat transfer sheet (for example, a sheet of silicone resin subjected to a treatment that improves thermal conductivity) having elasticity is inserted to improve the transfer of heat between both members

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

a collection container is heated from the bottom surface and the side surface by the heat transmitted from the bottom surface member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10722893B2Mounting and heating mechanism of sample collection containers

Publication Date: 2020.07.28 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

A mounting and heating mechanism of sample collection containers for heating sample collection containers includes cup-shaped container heat transfer members for heating sample collection containers from the bottom surface and the side surface, a plate-like bottom surface member heated by a heater, frame members attached to an upper side of the bottom surface member and vertically movably storing the container heat transfer members, and sheet-like elastic heat transfer member disposed between the bottom surfaces of the container heat transfer members stored in the frame members and the upper surface of the bottom surface member.