External refrigeration and dehumidification linkage device of incubator

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of incubator environment control, in particular to an external refrigeration and dehumidification linkage device (ERDLD (Extra Regulation Dehumidification Linkage Device) suitable for an incubator, and relates to the technical field of incubator environment control, in particular to an ERDLD (Extra Regulation Dehumidification Linkage Device) suitable for an incubator. The device comprises three independent functional modules, namely a heat dissipation bin, a refrigeration bin and a condensate water collection bin, and works together with a semiconductor refrigeration module (SCM), an air pump (AP) and a main control unit. The device can be automatically started and stopped according to humidity signals in the incubator, dynamic dehumidification and stable airflow conveying in the incubator are achieved, and the defects that according to a traditional built-in condensation scheme, energy consumption is high, the occupied space is large, and an external dehumidifier cannot be rapidly linked are overcome. The device can receive humidity signals in the incubator, automatic start and stop are achieved, dry air is input into the incubator through a pipeline, and condensate water is collected in the water sump in a centralized mode. The incubator has the advantages that the internal space of the incubator is prevented from being occupied by an external three-bin structure, the temperature difference is controlled within 1 DEG C, and the environmental stability is improved; the problem of response lag of the external dehumidification device is eliminated through linkage control, and humidity adjustment is more accurate; the semiconductor refrigeration module is matched with the independent heat dissipation bin to reduce energy consumption by 20%-30%; the air inflow of the air pump is adjustable, and the influence of airflow fluctuation on the cultivation environment is reduced; the water collecting bin is provided with a water receiving box, concentrated cleaning is facilitated, and secondary pollution is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to incubator environmental control technology, and in particular to an external refrigeration and dehumidification linkage device that can operate independently outside the incubator and achieve dehumidification by condensing air moisture through condensation. Background Technology

[0002] Incubators are essential equipment for culturing poultry eggs, amphibian eggs, and reptile eggs. Their core function is to provide embryos with a stable environment characterized by controllable temperature and humidity, uniform airflow, and high humidity. However, in actual use, incubators often experience high temperature and high humidity. Excessive humidity not only hinders embryo respiration but can also promote bacterial growth, increasing the failure rate of incubation. Therefore, how to accurately and promptly control the humidity inside the incubator has long been a technical challenge in the field of incubation equipment technology.

[0003] Currently, the main dehumidification methods available on the market are as follows:

[0004] passive ventilation

[0005] Some low-end incubators rely on natural ventilation or simple exhaust fans for dehumidification. This method is simple in structure, but has obvious drawbacks: first, ventilation cannot be automatically adjusted according to real-time humidity; second, in areas with high ambient humidity, ventilation may actually introduce more humid air, making it difficult to reduce the humidity inside the incubator.

[0006] Built-in condensation dehumidification method

[0007] Some mid-to-high-end incubators are equipped with built-in condenser plates or compressor dehumidification modules to remove water through condensation. However, this approach has a drawback:

[0008] Large space occupation: The condensation module needs to occupy the limited cultivation space inside the incubator, which affects the available volume.

[0009] Large temperature difference: The surface of the condenser plate forms a local temperature difference of 5-10°C with the surrounding air, resulting in an uneven internal environment of the incubator and affecting the stability of cultivation.

[0010] High energy consumption: Heat dissipation depends on the incubator itself, and the exhaust process may introduce more hot and humid external air, increasing energy consumption by 20% to 30%.

[0011] Inconvenient to clean: Condensate is not collected centrally and tends to accumulate at the bottom of the incubator, leading to secondary pollution.

[0012] External dehumidifier

[0013] Another approach is to place a regular dehumidifier next to the incubator, indirectly affecting the incubator through indoor humidity regulation. However, because the incubator is a relatively enclosed structure, the external dehumidification effect is transmitted slowly, and since it cannot be linked with the incubator and needs to be manually started and stopped, there is often a response lag of more than 10 minutes.

[0014] In summary, all existing technical solutions have certain shortcomings:

[0015] It is not possible to achieve rapid and precise humidity control without occupying incubator space;

[0016] The inability to eliminate dehumidification delays can easily lead to excessive humidity during the incubation process;

[0017] The energy consumption is too high and does not meet the requirements for energy conservation.

[0018] Incomplete condensate removal can easily lead to hygiene and maintenance problems.

[0019] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an external cooling and dehumidification device that can be linked with the incubator in real time and has the characteristics of high efficiency and low energy consumption to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0020] (I) Purpose of the Invention

[0021] The purpose of this invention is to provide an external cooling and dehumidification linkage device for incubators. Through an external three-compartment structure and semiconductor cooling technology, it can achieve real-time linkage control of humidity inside the incubator, avoiding the defects of existing built-in or external dehumidification solutions.

[0022] (II) Technical Solution

[0023] The technical solution of this invention mainly includes:

[0024] Three-compartment structural design

[0025] The device consists of a heat dissipation chamber, a cooling chamber, and a water collection chamber, which are isolated from each other. The heat dissipation chamber is specifically designed to dissipate heat from the cooling module, preventing heat from flowing back to the cooling zone; the cooling chamber is used for air condensation and drying; and the water collection chamber centrally stores condensate to prevent residue.

[0026] Semiconductor cooling module (SCM)

[0027] The cooling module features a low-power design, with its cooling end connected to the cooling chamber and its heat dissipation end connected to the heat dissipation chamber. When the module is working, the air inside the cooling chamber is rapidly cooled, causing moisture to condense and be released.

[0028] Air pump (AP) and airflow control

[0029] An air pump is installed inside the refrigeration chamber to deliver dry air to the incubator's air inlet via air supply pipes. The air pump also features an adjustable airflow design to prevent airflow fluctuations from disrupting the incubation environment.

[0030] Control Unit

[0031] The control unit is connected to the humidity sensor inside the incubator. When the humidity exceeds the set value, the control unit immediately starts the cooling module and air pump to deliver dry air into the incubator and automatically shuts down after the humidity returns to normal.

[0032] Condensate collection

[0033] The bottom of the refrigeration chamber is equipped with a water droplet collection structure to guide the condensate into the collection tank, and then it is stored in a detachable water collection box for easy cleaning and to avoid secondary pollution.

[0034] (III) Beneficial Effects

[0035] The present invention has the following advantages:

[0036] External structure: Does not occupy internal incubator space, improves cultivation capacity and environmental uniformity;

[0037] Rapid linkage: It can interact with the incubator in real time, and the humidity response time is reduced to the second level;

[0038] Low energy consumption: Semiconductor cooling and independent heat dissipation chamber design reduce overall energy consumption by 20% to 30%;

[0039] Stable environment: The gas pump output is controllable, avoiding disruption of the incubation environment balance;

[0040] Easy to maintain: Condensate is collected centrally to avoid secondary pollution and is easy to clean. Attached Figure Description

[0041] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the external cooling and dehumidification linkage device for this creative incubator.

[0042] Figure 2 This is a reference diagram for the actual use of the external cooling and dehumidification linkage device in the incubator for this creative project;

[0043] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view for reference in actual use of the external cooling and dehumidification linkage device in the incubator of this creation.

[0044] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the workflow of the external cooling and dehumidification linkage device used in this creative incubator.

[0045] The attached diagram shows the following labels: heat dissipation chamber (1), control unit (2), cooling chamber (3), air pump interface (4), water collection chamber (5), and water receiving box (6). Detailed Implementation

[0046] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0047] I. Overall Structure

[0048] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the external cooling and dehumidification linkage device for incubators of the present invention includes: a heat dissipation chamber (1), a control unit (2), a cooling chamber (3), an air pump interface (4), a water collection chamber (5), and a water receiving box (6). The device has a rectangular structure, which makes it easy to place next to or below the incubator and connect to the air inlet of the incubator through a pipe.

[0049] In the three-compartment structure, the heat dissipation compartment and the cooling compartment are separated from each other and an insulation layer is installed between them to prevent heat backflow from affecting the cooling effect. The water collection compartment is located below the cooling compartment and forms a natural condensate collection channel with the cooling module to ensure that condensate does not remain on the cooling surface.

[0050] II. Cooling Module

[0051] The cooling module uses a semiconductor cooling chip (SCM), with its cooling end in close contact with the inner wall of the cooling chamber and its heat dissipation end connected to the heat dissipation chamber. When the module is powered on, the temperature of the cooling end drops, and water vapor in the air condenses into water droplets on its surface, flowing along the surface of the condenser plate into the water collection tank.

[0052] The heat dissipation unit is equipped with aluminum heat sinks and a fan to create forced convection cooling, ensuring rapid heat dissipation and preventing a decrease in cooling efficiency. Because the heat dissipation chamber is isolated from the incubator environment, the exhausted hot air will not cause temperature fluctuations inside the incubator.

[0053] In one alternative, the refrigeration module can be replaced with a small compressor and condenser-evaporator structure, suitable for large incubators or long-term high-efficiency dehumidification needs.

[0054] III. Air Pump and Airflow Control

[0055] An air pump (AP) is installed inside the refrigeration chamber. Its air inlet is connected to the outside air, and its air outlet passes through the low-temperature dry air area formed by the refrigeration end, which delivers the processed dry air to the air supply pipe and finally into the air inlet of the incubator.

[0056] The air pump is equipped with a regulating valve, which can automatically adjust the air supply according to the pressure difference inside the incubator to avoid sending in too strong an airflow that could cause instability in the embryo environment.

[0057] In addition, the air pump is equipped with a noise reduction structure to reduce vibration and noise during operation and avoid affecting the overall quietness of the incubation room.

[0058] IV. Control Unit

[0059] The control unit (2) includes a power supply module, a signal processing module, a microcontroller control board, and a drive circuit. Its functions are:

[0060] Receives data signals from humidity sensors inside the incubator;

[0061] When the humidity exceeds the set value, the cooling module and air pump will start immediately.

[0062] The device will automatically stop operating once the humidity returns to the set range.

[0063] It offers a manual mode, allowing users to directly start and stop the device, which is convenient for testing or special applications.

[0064] In one embodiment, the control unit and the incubator are connected by a wired data cable; in another embodiment, signal interaction can be achieved through a wireless communication module (such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi), further simplifying installation.

[0065] V. Water Collection Tank

[0066] The water collection tank is located at the bottom of the refrigeration chamber. Its inner wall is equipped with a water guide channel structure to collect condensate water to the central position and flow into the water receiving box.

[0067] The water collection box (6) is detachable, allowing users to periodically remove it for emptying and cleaning. The inner surface of the water collection tank is covered with an anti-mildew coating to prevent bacterial growth.

[0068] In another embodiment, the water collection box can be connected to a drain pipe to lead the condensate outdoors or into a dedicated water collection container to meet the needs of long-term continuous operation.

[0069] VI. Work Process

[0070] The device's workflow is as follows:

[0071] With external power supply connected, the control unit is in standby mode;

[0072] The humidity sensor inside the incubator detected excessive humidity and sent a signal to the control unit.

[0073] The control unit immediately starts the cooling module and air pump;

[0074] The cooling end rapidly cools down, causing water vapor to condense into droplets and flow into the water collection tank;

[0075] The air pump delivers the condensed dry air through pipes into the air inlet of the incubator, and the moisture inside the incubator is gradually replaced by the dry airflow.

[0076] When the humidity drops to the set range, the control unit shuts down the cooling module and the air pump, and the device returns to standby mode.

[0077] This workflow is continuously cyclical, ensuring that the humidity inside the incubator remains within an appropriate range.

[0078] VII. Alternative Solutions

[0079] Replacement of refrigeration methods

[0080] While semiconductor cooling modules are preferred, compressor cooling can be used when high power and long-term operation are required.

[0081] Signal interaction method replacement

[0082] In addition to wired data cables, wireless transmission modules can also be used to interact with the incubator control system, enabling centralized control of multiple incubators.

[0083] Water treatment alternatives

[0084] The water collection box can be replaced with a connecting hose to a centralized drainage tank, which is suitable for long-term operation or unattended operation.

[0085] VIII. Specific Application Effects

[0086] Tests showed that when the device of this invention is running on a 200L incubator, it can reduce the internal humidity from 85%RH to 65%RH in less than 3 minutes, and the energy consumption is reduced by about 25% compared to the built-in condenser module. At the same time, due to the uniform delivery of the drying airflow, the temperature distribution difference inside the incubator does not exceed 1°C, which significantly improves the uniformity of cultivation.

[0087] The above description is merely illustrative and not restrictive. Any equivalent modifications or alterations made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention should be included within the scope of this patent application.

Claims

1. An external refrigeration and dehumidification linkage device for an incubator, characterized in that, include: The heat dissipation chamber contains the heat dissipation end of the semiconductor cooling module, which is used to dissipate the heat generated by the cooling module during operation. The refrigeration chamber is equipped with a refrigeration end of a semiconductor refrigeration module and an air pump, which is used to transport the dried air after refrigeration and condensation to the incubator through pipes. The water collection tank, located below the refrigeration chamber, is used to collect condensate generated during the refrigeration process; The control unit is connected to the humidity signal interface of the incubator and is used to automatically control the start and stop of the semiconductor cooling module and the air pump according to the humidity signal inside the incubator. The output end of the air pump is connected to the air inlet of the incubator via an air delivery pipe, thereby achieving precise delivery of dry air.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water collection tank is equipped with a detachable water receiving box for centralized storage and easy cleaning of condensate.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit includes a power module, a signal processing module, and a drive circuit, which are used to process the incubator input signals and precisely control the on / off state of the semiconductor cooling module.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air pump is equipped with an air intake adjustment structure to reduce the impact of airflow fluctuations on the incubator's internal cultivation environment.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, A heat insulation layer is provided between the heat dissipation chamber and the cooling chamber to reduce heat interference between the chambers.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit is connected to the incubator via wired or wireless signal and has a manual / automatic dual-mode switching function.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The semiconductor cooling module is designed for low power consumption, with a single module power consumption of no more than 30W.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The external refrigeration and dehumidification linkage device can be replaced with a compressor condenser structure to adapt to incubators of different sizes.

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