Preheated Liquid Storage Tank for Shorter Temperature Settling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing examination devices require a significant settling time for liquids to reach the desired temperature before discharge, particularly in temperature-controlled washing solutions, due to the need for heating within conduits which prolongs the process.

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 it is at the desired temperature for discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the washing solution is fed to the heating block and heated, then the liquid reaches the desired temperature, but the settling time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid temperatureVSAvoidsettling time
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by heating the liquid in the supply conduit before it enters the heat retention tank. The heating unit is positioned in the supply conduit to pre-heat the liquid, so that when the liquid is stored in the heat retention tank, it is already at or near the desired temperature, significantly reducing the settling time required for the liquid to reach the target temperature after storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Temperature

If a heating function is provided in the heat retention tank, then temperature control is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature controlVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the heating function from the heat retention tank by positioning the heating unit in the supply conduit instead. This separation allows the heat retention tank to focus solely on storage with heat insulating properties, while the heating function is performed separately in the conduit before the liquid enters the tank. This reduces the complexity of the heat retention tank itself while maintaining effective temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Loss of time

If the liquid is heated in the supply conduit, then the settling time is shortened, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesettling timeVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning the heating unit specifically in the supply conduit where the liquid flows before storage, rather than heating the entire volume of liquid in the heat retention tank. This localized heating approach concentrates energy usage in the most critical area for rapid temperature adjustment, achieving short settling times while minimizing overall energy consumption by avoiding redundant heating of already-heated liquid in the storage tank.

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

The device significantly reduces the settling time by pre-heating the liquid to the required temperature before discharge, maintaining temperature stability, and preventing property degradation of solutions like BF separation solutions.

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 EffectHeating: Heating

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 EffectHeat insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4675280A1Liquid storage device
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP4675280A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4675280A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4675280A1 patent drawing

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 sucked by the pump to the heat retention tank; a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the liquid passing through the supply conduit; a heating unit that heats the liquid passing through the supply conduit; 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 sucked into the supply conduit by the pump 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.