Sensor Device Heating Element for Uniform Fluid Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor devices for analyzing physical parameters in fluid samples face challenges in maintaining uniform temperature distribution across multiple analyte sensors, which is crucial for accurate and precise measurements, especially in clinical applications where sample volume is limited and analysis time is critical.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device with a measurement chamber that employs a heating element providing a larger heating effect near the inlet than near the outlet, ensuring uniform temperature distribution along the flow path, thereby facilitating accurate and precise measurements while reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a heating element is used to maintain uniform temperature across the measurement chamber, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is designed with non-uniform heating characteristics, providing stronger heating at the inlet region and weaker heating toward the outlet region. This local differentiation in heating intensity compensates for the natural temperature gradient caused by fluid flow, achieving uniform temperature distribution across the measurement chamber without requiring multiple heating elements or complex control systems.
2Reliability
If multiple heating elements are used to ensure uniform temperature distribution, then measurement reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element's operational parameters are optimized to provide non-uniform heating distribution. By adjusting the heating power density along the flow path (stronger at inlet, weaker at outlet), the system achieves reliable temperature control with a single heating element, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining measurement reliability.
3Productivity
If a small measurement chamber is used to reduce sample volume, then productivity is improved, but temperature control difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is designed with position-dependent heating characteristics tailored to the compact measurement chamber geometry. The inlet region receives intensified heating to rapidly warm the incoming fluid, while the outlet region receives reduced heating to prevent overheating, achieving effective temperature control in the small-volume chamber.
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 achieves uniform sample temperature across the measurement chamber, ensuring accurate and reliable measurement results with reduced production costs and shorter measurement cycle times, even with a smaller number of heating elements.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element configured to heat the fluid accommodated within the measurement chamber, wherein the heating element is configured to provide a larger heating effect in a proximity of the inlet of the measurement chamber than in a proximity of the outlet of the measurement chamber
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a sensor device, comprising: a measurement chamber having at least a first wall, the measurement chamber including a plurality of analyte sensors; wherein the measurement chamber allows a fluid to be analyzed to interact with each of the plurality of analyte sensors when the fluid is accommodated within the measurement chamber; the measurement chamber having an inlet configured to receive the fluid to be analyzed and an outlet configured to allow the fluid to exit the measurement chamber after having interacted with the plurality of analyte sensors; the measurement chamber defining a sample volume for accommodating the fluid to be analyzed, the sample volume extending at least between the inlet and the outlet; a heating element configured to heat the fluid accommodated within the measurement chamber.