Embedded Liquid Passages in Thermal Insulation Casing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing full-automatic chemiluminescence immunoassay devices face challenges with heat loss and temperature control issues during the transportation of heated liquids, leading to inaccurate sample analysis, especially due to exposure to external temperature fluctuations and the use of separate heaters that are costly and prone to corrosion.

Innovation Solution

A heat preservation shell is integrated into the analyzer, embedding liquid passages within the shell wall to minimize heat dissipation, using a liquid chamber to preheat and maintain temperature, and incorporating a dome-shaped structure to prevent air bubbles, while also supporting magnetic adsorption units and reducing the need for separate heaters by indirect heating of corrosive liquids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the wash buffer and starter reagent are heated in advance and transported through exposed pipelines, then the reaction temperature can be controlled, but heat loss occurs during transportation, causing temperature deviation and affecting analysis accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereaction temperature controlVSAvoidheat loss during transportation
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid passages are embedded within the heat preservation shell wall, creating a nested structure where the liquid channels are housed inside the insulating shell. This nesting arrangement allows the heated liquids to be transported through passages that are surrounded by the heat preservation shell, reducing heat loss to the external environment while maintaining temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat preservation shell acts as an intermediary between the heated liquids and the external environment. By embedding the liquid passages within the shell wall, the shell mediates heat transfer, allowing necessary heat loss for controlled cooling while preventing excessive heat loss that would cause temperature deviation. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction between maintaining temperature and allowing heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If two separate heaters are used for wash buffer and starter reagent, then temperature control is achieved, but device space is occupied and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid temperature controlVSAvoidnumber of heaters and space occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat preservation shell with embedded liquid passages serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal insulation for temperature control, houses the liquid transport passages, and eliminates the need for separate heater components. This multi-functional design allows the same structure to perform what previously required multiple separate components, reducing device complexity and space occupation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Power

If metal heating elements are used for heating corrosive starter reagent, then heating function is achieved, but the heating elements are highly susceptible to corrosion, shortening service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating functionVSAvoidservice life of heating element
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heat preservation shell wall material acts as an intermediary between the corrosive starter reagent and the heating element. By embedding the liquid passages within the shell wall, a protective barrier is created that prevents direct contact between the corrosive liquid and the metal heating element, thereby extending service life while maintaining heating function through thermal conduction through the shell wall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat preservation shell is constructed with materials that provide both thermal insulation and corrosion resistance. This composite material structure allows the outer shell to resist corrosion from the starter reagent while still enabling heat transfer to maintain the heating function, resolving the contradiction between heating capability and durability in corrosive environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Loss of energy

If liquid passages are embedded in the heat preservation shell wall, then heat loss is reduced and space utilization is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat loss reductionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity of embedded passages
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid passages are nested within the heat preservation shell wall structure, creating an integrated design where the passages are formed as part of the shell itself rather than as separate components. This nesting approach reduces heat loss by eliminating external exposure of passages while the integrated formation simplifies manufacturing compared to assembling separate passage components into the shell.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 solution significantly reduces heat loss, maintains precise temperature control, extends the life of heating elements, and enhances space utilization, ensuring accurate and stable reaction conditions despite environmental temperature changes.

Implementation Method 1

The liquid heating transport device keeps the heat radiated by the liquid heater in the heat preservation shell through the heat preservation shell, thereby slowing down the heat dissipation and conduction speed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

The liquid heater includes a heating element, and at least a first liquid chamber and a second liquid chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3457142B1Thermal insulation casing for an analyzer
Publication Date: 2023.09.20 LEADWAY HK
  • EP3457142B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3457142B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3457142B1 patent drawingFigure 6~6-2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a heat preservation shell (4) for an analyzer. At least one liquid passage (402) for conveying the liquid is embedded in a shell wall of the heat preservation shell. The liquid passage (402) is embedded in the shell wall of the heat preservation shell (4), on one hand, the liquid transported or preserved in the liquid passage is subjected to the heat preservation function of the heat preservation shell, so that the liquid transported or preserved in the liquid passage (402) maintains the preset temperature, thereby avoiding the influence of the external environment temperature on the transported liquid; and on the other hand, the space of the shell wall of the heat preservation shell is effectively utilized, the situation that various liquid pipelines are intricately distributed inside or outside the heat preservation shell (4) is avoided, thereby increasing the space utilization rate.