Heat Retention Tank Control for Fast Liquid Temperature Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing examination devices require a significant settling time for liquids to reach the desired temperature before discharge due to the need for heating within a conduit, which can impair the properties of the liquid and increase the overall process time.

Innovation Solution

A liquid storage device with a heat retention tank and a heating unit on the supply conduit, controlled by a processor to maintain and adjust the temperature of the liquid before storage, ensuring efficient and stable temperature control without direct heating in the tank.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the washing solution is fed to the heating block and heated until a certain temperature is reached, then the liquid can be discharged at the desired temperature, but it takes significant time for the liquid to reach the target temperature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid discharge temperatureVSAvoidsettling time

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by heating the liquid in advance within the heat retention tank before the liquid is needed for discharge. The heating unit heats the liquid stored in the heat retention tank beforehand, so when the liquid is discharged through the nozzle, it is already at the desired temperature. This eliminates the need for heating during the discharge process, significantly reducing the settling time while maintaining the required discharge temperature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Temperature

If a heating block is used to heat the washing solution, then the liquid can be maintained at the required temperature, but the heating process impairs the properties of the liquid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewashing solution temperatureVSAvoidliquid property impairment

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs heating in advance within the heat retention tank before the liquid is discharged for use. By heating the liquid beforehand and maintaining it at the required temperature in the insulated tank, the system avoids prolonged heating during the discharge process, thereby preventing thermal degradation of the liquid properties while still achieving the necessary temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The heat retention tank acts as an intermediary between the heating unit and the discharge nozzle. The tank stores the heated liquid and maintains its temperature through insulation, serving as a buffer that separates the heating process from the discharge process. This allows the liquid to be heated to the required temperature without continuous exposure to heat sources that could impair its properties during discharge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If the liquid is heated in the conduit connected to the nozzle, then the liquid reaches the desired temperature before discharge, but the settling time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid temperature before dischargeVSAvoidliquid discharge efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves the heating action from the discharge conduit to the heat retention tank, performing the heating operation in advance. The heating unit heats the liquid while it is stored in the heat retention tank, so by the time the liquid is discharged through the nozzle, it is already at the desired temperature. This repositioning of the heating function eliminates the need for time-consuming heating during the discharge process, thereby improving productivity while maintaining temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 significantly reduces the settling time for liquids to reach the target temperature, preventing property impairment and enhancing the efficiency of liquid discharge processes in examination devices.

Implementation Method 1

a heating unit that is disposed on the supply conduit and heats the liquid passing through the supply conduit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a heat retention tank having a heat insulating function that is connected to the distribution unit and stores the liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS20250362318A1Liquid storage device

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

A liquid storage device includes a distribution unit that supplies a liquid to a nozzle; a heat retention tank having a heat insulating function that is connected to the distribution unit and stores the liquid; a pump that sucks the liquid to be replenished to the tank from an outside; a supply conduit that guides the liquid to the heat retention tank; a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the liquid; a heating unit that heats the liquid; and a processor that is configured to execute a process of, in a case where the liquid is replenished to the heat retention tank, heating the liquid to a temperature set in advance in the supply conduit and replenishing the liquid heated in the supply conduit to the heat retention tank by acquiring information related to the temperature from the temperature sensor and controlling the heating unit.