Integrated Cooling for Laboratory Homogenizer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Biological samples degrade when heated or frozen, requiring precise temperature control within a few degrees, especially during homogenization processes, where existing technologies fail to maintain samples at a specific temperature without pausing the process.
Innovation Solution
A laboratory instrument employing forced convection with a cold air flow from a thermal mass, modulated by an electronic circuit, to maintain sample temperature, using a rotating hub with pivoting strikers for homogenization and integrated cooling system with temperature sensors and algorithms for precise temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If forced convection cooling is applied during homogenization, then sample temperature is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is integrated into the homogenization device structure, combining the temperature control function with the mechanical homogenization function in a single unified device, thereby maintaining sample temperature without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal mass component is introduced as an intermediary element that absorbs and releases heat to the sample during homogenization, enabling passive thermal regulation that reduces the complexity of active cooling systems
2Reliability
If continuous cooling is applied during homogenization, then sample degradation is prevented, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system operates periodically rather than continuously, activating cooling only during phases when sample temperature rises above threshold, thereby preventing sample degradation while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous cooling
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors provide real-time feedback on sample temperature, which is used to dynamically control the cooling system operation, enabling energy-efficient temperature maintenance by activating cooling only when and where needed based on actual thermal conditions
3Productivity
If multiple samples are processed simultaneously, then productivity increases, but temperature control precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into multiple independent cooling zones, each capable of independent temperature control, allowing multiple samples to be processed simultaneously while maintaining precise temperature control for each individual sample through separate control channels
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 effectively maintains samples and reagents at a specific temperature, ensuring efficient homogenization without sample degradation, allowing simultaneous processing of multiple samples while preventing cross-contamination and reducing processing time.
Implementation Method 1
provides forced convection with a cold thermal mass
Implementation Method 2
Heat from the samples inside the sample tubes (58) passes through the sample tube walls and is transferred to the cold air
Data Source
AI summary
This invention describes an advanced cooling system for a laboratory instrument to maintain laboratory samples at a predetermined temperature. The advanced cooling system uses an algorithm that incorporates information from at least one sensor and other operational parameters including thermal effects from the operation of the instrument.