Liquid Heater Indirect Heating Corrosion Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing full-automatic chemiluminescence immunoassay devices face issues with heat loss and temperature control during the transport of heated wash buffer and starter reagent, leading to inaccurate sample component analysis, and are hindered by the need for separate heaters which increase cost and reduce miniaturization due to corrosion concerns with metal heating elements.

Innovation Solution

A liquid heating transport device with a heat preservation shell that embeds liquid passages within the shell wall, utilizing a dome-shaped liquid chamber for efficient heat retention and indirect heating of corrosive liquids, reducing heat loss and extending the life of the heating element by avoiding direct contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the wash buffer and starter reagent are heated in advance and transported through exposed pipelines, then the liquids can be delivered to the reaction cuvette, but heat loss occurs during transport causing temperature deviation and affecting measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control accuracyVSAvoidheat loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid passage is embedded within the heat preservation shell, with the liquid flowing through channels formed inside the shell structure. This nesting arrangement allows the heat preservation shell to surround and protect the liquid passage, reducing heat loss during transport while maintaining compact device geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat preservation shell acts as an intermediary layer between the heated liquid and the external environment. This intermediate structure provides thermal insulation, preventing direct heat exchange between the liquid and ambient air, thereby maintaining temperature stability during transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If two separate heaters are used for wash buffer and starter reagent, then both liquids can be heated independently, but device space is occupied and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent heating capabilityVSAvoiddevice volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The heat preservation shell serves multiple functions: it provides thermal insulation for the liquid passage, acts as a structural support element, and enables the heating function through embedded heating elements. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate heater components, reducing device volume while maintaining independent heating capability for different liquids.

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

3Power

If a metal heating element is used for heating corrosive starter reagent, then effective heating is achieved, but the heating element is susceptible to corrosion reducing service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid passage acts as an intermediary barrier between the corrosive starter reagent and the metal heating element. The heating element heats the liquid indirectly through the passage walls, providing effective heating while preventing direct contact between the corrosive reagent and metal, thereby extending service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid passage is formed with thin wall structures that provide sufficient thermal conductivity for efficient heating while acting as a corrosion-resistant barrier. This thin film approach allows effective heat transfer from the heating element to the liquid while protecting the metal heating element from corrosive damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 the preset temperature of liquids during transport, enhances reaction stability, reduces the device's volume and cost, and ensures accurate temperature control, while preventing corrosion of the heating element.

Implementation Method 1

The heat preservation shell is used for retaining the heat radiated by the liquid heater, so as to slow down the heat dissipation and conduction speed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

the liquid heater heats the liquid needing to be injected into the analyzer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

slow down the heat dissipation and conduction speed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3457143B1Liquid heater for use in analyzer
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 LEADWAY HK
  • EP3457143B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3457143B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3457143B1 patent drawingFigure 6~6-2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a liquid heater (6) for an analyzer, including a heating element (602), and at least a first liquid chamber (604) and a second liquid chamber (606), which do not communicate with each other in the heater (6), wherein at least one liquid chamber is accommodated in another liquid chamber, the heating element (602) heats the liquid in one liquid chamber, and the heated liquid heats the liquid in the other liquid chamber. In the liquid heater, the liquid in at least one liquid chamber is not in direct contact with the heating element and is indirectly heated by the heat transfer of the heated liquid, thereby avoiding the problem that corrosive liquid corrodes the heating element, and accordingly the service life of the heating element is prolonged; and on the other hand, the problem that two heaters are respectively used for heating separately, resulting in large installation volume and high cost is avoided, the volume of the liquid heater is reduced, and the cost is reduced.