Reagent Storage Fan Airflow for Condensation Suppression

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional automatic analyzing apparatuses face challenges with condensation issues due to ambient temperature differences, leading to increased manufacturing costs, complex configurations, and reduced maintenance ease, particularly in the reagent storage system where air flow through probe holes causes condensation.

Innovation Solution

The reagent storage system incorporates a fan to create a pressure differential between two spaces, using reverse-tapered probe holes and convection separating plates to regulate air flow and prevent condensation, while maintaining efficient cooling of reagents through a rotating table and cooling elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a mechanism for opening and closing probe holes or an air conditioner is provided to prevent condensation, then condensation is suppressed, but manufacturing costs increase and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecondensationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reagent storage cover automatically regulates air flow through the probe holes based on internal pressure changes. When the internal pressure decreases (indicating cooling), the cover opens to allow warm air in; when pressure increases (indicating warming), the cover closes to prevent condensation. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for external actuators or air conditioners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes changes in internal pressure as a parameter to control air flow regulation. The reagent storage cover responds to pressure differential changes caused by temperature variations, automatically adjusting its state (open/closed) to maintain proper pressure balance and prevent condensation without additional control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a mechanism for opening and closing probe holes or an air conditioner is provided to prevent condensation, then condensation is suppressed, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecondensationVSAvoidmanufacturing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The reagent storage cover automatically regulates air flow through the probe holes based on internal pressure changes. When the internal pressure decreases (indicating cooling), the cover opens to allow warm air in; when pressure increases (indicating warming), the cover closes to prevent condensation. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for external actuators or air conditioners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive, complex condensation prevention mechanisms (actuators, air conditioners) with a simple, cost-effective reagent storage cover that performs the regulation function inherently. This simplifies manufacturing and reduces costs while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a mechanism for opening and closing probe holes is provided, then condensation is suppressed, but ease of maintenance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecondensationVSAvoidease of maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The reagent storage cover automatically regulates air flow through the probe holes based on internal pressure changes. When the internal pressure decreases (indicating cooling), the cover opens to allow warm air in; when pressure increases (indicating warming), the cover closes to prevent condensation. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for external actuators or air conditioners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 configuration effectively suppresses condensation within the reagent storage, improves cooling efficiency, and simplifies the apparatus design, reducing manufacturing costs and maintenance complexity.

Implementation Method 1

a fan configured to send air in a first space defined by an inner bottom of the housing and the placement table into a second space defined by the cover and the placement table and to exhaust the air in the second space through the probe hole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

cooling elements configured to cool the reagent containers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentUS12064770B2Reagent storage and automatic analyzing apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.08.20 CANON MEDICAL SYST CORP

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a reagent storage include a placement table, a housing, a cover, and a fan. The placement table on which a plurality of reagent containers are placed. The housing configured to contain the placement table. The cover having a probe hole through which a probe is inserted and configured to cover an opening of the housing. The fan configured to send air in a first space defined by an inner bottom of the housing and the placement table into a second space defined by the cover and the placement table and to exhaust the air in the second space through the probe hole.