Thermal Exchanger for Pressure Transmitting Medium Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic analyzing apparatuses face challenges in maintaining accurate liquid volume control due to temperature-induced expansion and contraction of pressure transmitting mediums, leading to errors in sample and reagent dispensing, and require complex active temperature control systems.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a thermal exchanger in the flow path of the pressure transmitting medium to equilibrate its temperature with the atmospheric temperature, reducing temperature gradients and preventing volume changes, thus maintaining accurate dispensing without active temperature control mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If active temperature control mechanisms (temperature sensor and heater) are provided to control the temperature of pure water, then the temperature of the pressure transmitting medium can be maintained, but the apparatus configuration becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the ambient temperature of the apparatus atmosphere itself to control the temperature of the pure water through passive heat exchange, eliminating the need for external heating or cooling devices. The pure water naturally equilibrates to the apparatus temperature through thermal conduction and convection within the sealed container, achieving self-regulation without active control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the temperature control mechanisms (temperature sensor and heater) from the system entirely. By eliminating these components, the patent achieves temperature stabilization through passive thermal equilibrium with the apparatus atmosphere, thereby simplifying the overall apparatus configuration while maintaining the required temperature control function
2Stability of the object's composition
If active temperature control mechanisms are provided, then temperature stability can be achieved, but errors by the temperature sensor and lack of optimization of feedback control may cause a difference between environmental temperature and temperature of pure water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sealed container as an intermediary between the apparatus atmosphere and the pure water. This container facilitates direct thermal contact between the ambient air and the pure water, enabling efficient heat exchange and ensuring that the pure water temperature accurately reflects the environmental temperature without requiring sensors or feedback control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves temperature stability through passive self-regulation. The pure water naturally equilibrates to the apparatus temperature through thermal conduction and convection within the sealed container, eliminating measurement errors associated with temperature sensors and feedback control optimization issues
3Quantity of substance
If the amount of test sample and reagent is reduced, then cost and environmental pollution are reduced, but temperature-induced expansion and contraction cause errors in dispensing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the temperature-induced volume change problem by transitioning from active thermal management to passive thermal equilibrium. By allowing the pure water to naturally equilibrate to the apparatus temperature through the sealed container, the system eliminates temperature gradients that cause expansion and contraction, thereby maintaining dispensing accuracy even with reduced reagent volumes
Solution Approach 2:
The pure water self-regulates its temperature to match the apparatus environment through passive heat exchange, preventing temperature-induced volume changes that would compromise dispensing precision. This self-stabilization mechanism ensures accurate dispensing of small reagent amounts without requiring external temperature control
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 ensures precise dispensing of small sample and reagent volumes, reducing errors and costs associated with reagent usage, while simplifying the apparatus configuration and reducing environmental pollution.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal exchanger which exchanges heat between an atmosphere in the automatic analyzing apparatus and the pressure transmitting medium flowing through the flow path
Implementation Method 2
Components, such as a probe constituting a mechanism for suctioning and discharging such a test sample and a reagent, and a tube, and a pressure transmitting medium used for suctioning and discharging a test sample and a reagent expand and shrink because of a temperature change
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an automatic analyzing apparatus includes a liquid tank, a first pump, a dispensing probe, and a thermal exchanger. The liquid tank stores a first liquid. The first pump pressurizes and sends the first liquid supplied from the liquid tank. The dispensing probe uses the first liquid that is sent out from the first pump as a pressure transmitting medium. The thermal exchanger exchanges heat between an atmosphere in the automatic analyzing apparatus and the first liquid in at least a part of a first flow path connecting the first pump to the liquid tank.