Cooling apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling apparatuses for containers, such as vials, face challenges in preventing condensation formation, especially at the container lids, which can lead to contamination and affect analysis results, and require lids to be closed to prevent moisture ingress, making them cumbersome to handle.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a duct outlet positioned above the cooling zone base, directing cooled and dried air along the cooling zone edges to reduce condensation on vial lids, allowing for continuous airflow that prevents moisture accumulation and eliminates the need for a lid, enabling easy access and handling of containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lids are closed to prevent condensation in cooling zones, then condensation prevention is improved, but handling complexity increases due to the need to open/close lids and change lids when vial types change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the lid component entirely from the cooling zone, extracting the condensation prevention function from a mechanical barrier (lid) to an environmental control mechanism (cooled airflow). The outlet positions cooled air to flow across the cooling zone interior surfaces, preventing condensation without requiring a physical lid to be closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic means (cooled airflow) to achieve condensation prevention. The outlet directs cooled air to flow across the cooling zone interior surfaces, creating a protective airflow barrier that prevents moisture accumulation without mechanical lids. This pneumatic approach eliminates the mechanical complexity of lid operation.
2Productivity
If lids with openings are used to allow rapid access to vials, then access speed is improved, but positioning precision deteriorates because vial positions must be manually defined and lids changed when vial types change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the access function from a mechanical lid system with openings to an open cooling zone configuration. The outlet provides continuous cooled airflow protection while allowing unrestricted access to vials at any position, eliminating the need for manual position definition and lid changes when vial types change.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet system provides universal protection across the entire cooling zone interior regardless of vial arrangement or type. The cooled airflow protects all surfaces uniformly, making the system adaptable to different vial configurations without requiring reconfiguration or precise positioning, thereby achieving both rapid access and consistent protection.
3Reliability
If nitrogen flushing is used to prevent condensation, then condensation prevention is improved, but operational cost increases due to large volumetric flows required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of the cooling airflow by positioning the outlet to direct cooled air across the cooling zone interior surfaces. This optimized airflow pattern achieves effective condensation prevention with reduced volumetric flow rates compared to conventional nitrogen flushing methods, thereby lowering operational costs while maintaining reliability.
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 design effectively minimizes condensation on container lids, ensuring reliable sample integrity and simplifying handling by maintaining a stable cold spot within the cooling zone without the need for a lid, facilitating efficient sample extraction and analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling device for cooling air
Implementation Method 2
a first duct for conducting the cooled air from the cooling device into the cooling zone
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus (1) for cooling containers, in particular vials, comprising at least one first cooling zone (200) for receiving containers, with a cooling zone base and a cooling zone wall (201), and a cooling device (300) for cooling air, and a first duct (113) for conducting the cooled air from the cooling device (300) into the cooling zone (200), wherein an outlet of the first duct (113) is spaced apart from the cooling zone base.