Temperature Control Assembly with Movable Thermal Switch

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temperature control systems for measuring devices face inefficiencies in dynamics, uniformity, and energy consumption, leading to increased system temperature and impaired cooling performance, which affects measurement accuracy and operational costs.

Innovation Solution

A temperature control arrangement featuring a measuring plate with a heating system that can be thermally contacted with a cooling system via a mechanical device, minimizing thermal mass and using a Peltier element as a thermal switch for precise control, combined with air and liquid cooling for efficient heating and cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If continuous cooling system is used to maintain temperatures below ambient temperature, then cooling capability is improved, but system temperature increases and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesample temperature controlVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is designed to be movable and temporarily contactable with the heating system. The cooler can be positioned close to the heating system when cooling is needed and moved away when not needed, making the cooling function dynamic rather than continuous. This reduces energy consumption by activating cooling only when required while maintaining the capability to cool below ambient temperature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling system operates periodically rather than continuously. The cooler is brought into thermal contact with the heating system temporarily when cooling is required, then separated when heating or maintenance is needed. This periodic operation reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining effective temperature control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Speed

If thermal contact between cooler and heating system is established, then cooling speed is improved, but thermal stress on components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling speedVSAvoidcomponent service life
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system uses movable components with controlled thermal contact. The cooler can be brought into close proximity to the heating system when rapid cooling is needed, then separated when cooling is complete. This dynamic operation provides fast cooling speed when required while minimizing continuous thermal stress on components, thereby extending component service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If heating and cooling elements are positioned close to each other, then temperature control dynamics are improved, but thermal interference between elements increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control dynamicsVSAvoidthermal interference
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The heating and cooling elements are designed to be positionally dynamic relative to each other. They can be positioned close together when rapid temperature control is needed to improve response dynamics, then separated when heating or cooling operations are complete to minimize thermal interference and energy loss between the elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution enhances the dynamics and efficiency of temperature control, reduces energy consumption, and extends the service life of components by minimizing thermal stress, while allowing for precise temperature management and flexible operation.

Implementation Method 1

the heating system is designed in such a way that a Peltier element 5 is used as a thermal switch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPeltier effect: Peltier Effect

Implementation Method 2

the cooler of the cooling system is brought into mechanical thermal contact with the heating system via a contacting device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3243060B1Temperature-control assembly for measuring devices
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 RHEOTEC MESSTECHN
  • EP3243060B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3243060B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3243060B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a temperature-control assembly for measuring devices (1), which is characterized in that the specimen (2) is arranged on a measurement plate (3), wherein the measurement plate (3) can be heated by means of a heating system having a heater (6), and in that a cooling system having a cooler (8) is provided, which cooler can be temporarily brought into thermal contact with the heating system by means of a contacting device (7).