Temperature control device, use and arrangement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temperature control devices for containers are not easily adaptable for precise temperature control, especially in aseptic environments, and often fail to maintain temperatures within narrow margins required for biochemical reactions.

Innovation Solution

A flexible temperature control device with both heating and cooling regions that can deform to fit containers of various shapes, ensuring thermal contact over a significant surface area, using elements like Peltier elements and cooling fluids to maintain temperatures within ±0.5°C of a set point.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid temperature control device is used, then the structural stability is improved, but the adaptability to containers of various shapes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to container shapes

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature control device employs a flexible housing that can be deformed to conform to the contour of containers with various shapes. This flexible shell allows the device to adapt to different container geometries while maintaining its internal heating and cooling elements, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural stability and adaptability to various container shapes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If the temperature control device is made flexible, then the adaptability to container shapes is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to container shapesVSAvoidmanufacturing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature control device is divided into multiple modular segments that can be independently manufactured with high precision and then assembled. This segmentation allows each module to be produced with precise tolerances while the overall device maintains flexibility through the modular connection interfaces, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If heating and cooling elements are added, then the temperature control capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature control device integrates both heating elements and cooling elements within a single unified housing structure. This merging of heating and cooling functions into one device eliminates the need for separate temperature control units, thereby improving temperature control capability while managing device complexity through integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Manufacturing precision

If the temperature control device is made rigid, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing precisionVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature control device incorporates a flexible housing that can dynamically adapt its shape to fit different container geometries. This dynamic flexibility is achieved through elastomeric materials that allow the device to be easily deformed and positioned around various container shapes, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled elasticity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 allows for precise temperature control of containers, maintaining temperatures within ±0.5°C, enabling efficient biochemical reactions and reducing energy loss through improved thermal contact and insulation.

Implementation Method 1

at least one heating region (6) having at least one heating element (6a-c)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

at least one cooling region (8) having at least one cooling element (8a)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

the temperature control device (2) is formed to be flexible, at least in some regions, wherein the temperature control device (2) can be transferred from an open position to an arrangement position by flexible deformation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10994276B2Temperature control device, use and arrangement

Publication Date: 2021.05.04 SARTORIUS STEDIM BIOTECH GMBH

AI summary

One aspect of the invention relates to a temperature control device for controlling the temperature of a container, comprising: at least one heating region having at least on heating element, and at least one cooling region having at least one cooling element, wherein the temperature control device is formed to be flexible, at least in some regions, wherein the temperature control device can be transferred from an open position to an arrangement position by flexible deformation, and wherein the temperature control device, in the arrangement position, can be arranged on a wall of the container in a form-fitting manner, at least in some regions, and can be thermally contacted such that the temperature of the container can be controlled by means of the at least one heating element and the at least one cooling element.