Reaction Container Holder Level Difference Section Heat Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional reaction container holders experience reduced heat transfer efficiency due to gaps between the bottom surface of the reaction container and the rotating member, caused by variations in the retention and fixing state of the retaining member.

Innovation Solution

The reaction container holder incorporates a convex level difference section on the rotating member that engages with the retaining section, ensuring proper alignment and reducing gaps, and may feature a trapezoidal pyramid or cone shape, elastic heat transfer material, or a protruding piece for enhanced contact and heat transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the retaining member is detachably fixed to the rotating member, then the retaining member can be removed for cleaning, but gaps may be produced between the reaction container and the rotating member, reducing heat transfer efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleanability of retaining memberVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A heat transfer member is introduced as an intermediary component between the rotating member and the reaction container. This heat transfer member fills the gap that forms due to the detachable fixing structure, ensuring continuous thermal contact. The heat transfer member can be separately cleaned or replaced without affecting the detachable fixing mechanism, thus resolving the contradiction between cleanability and heat transfer efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the retaining member is fixed at a higher position, then the reaction container can be retained, but gaps are produced between the bottom surface of the reaction container and the rotating member, lowering heat transfer efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretention of reaction containerVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The heat transfer member acts as a mediator that bridges the gap created when the retaining member is fixed at a higher position. It maintains thermal contact between the rotating member and the reaction container bottom surface, allowing the retaining member to be positioned higher for reliable retention while preventing energy loss through the gap.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat transfer member provides localized thermal conduction specifically at the gap region between the rotating member and the reaction container. This local quality enhancement ensures that heat transfer is maintained at the critical interface without affecting the overall positioning or retention mechanism.

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 design effectively inhibits the lowering of heat transfer efficiency by ensuring consistent contact between the rotating member and the reaction container, even when the container is retained at a higher position, thereby maintaining optimal temperature control.

Implementation Method 1

a heat source H, and where the rotating member 9 is in contact with the bottom surface of the reaction container 7

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2407790B1Reaction container holder and analyzer
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 BECKMAN COULTER INC
  • EP2407790B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2407790B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2407790B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~4(b)

AI summary

A reaction container holder capable of inhibiting the lowering of the transfer efficiency of heat transferred from a rotating member to a bottom surface of a reaction container, and an analyzer comprising the reaction container holder, are provided. In a reaction container holder comprising: a retaining member unit comprising a plurality of container retaining sections for retaining reaction containers, which house a reaction liquid containing a reagent and a specimen; and a circular rotating member for detachably fixing the unit from above and rotating, the holder keeping the container at a constant temperature by transferring heat from a heat source through the rotating member to the container, the rotating member comprises a level difference section, an upper surface of which is positioned below a bottom surface of the container retained by the unit and above a bottom part of the section, when the retaining member unit is fixed.