Drying Phase Control Using Absolute Humidity Difference Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling the drying phase in cleaning and disinfection processes struggle to achieve a reproducible and efficient drying result with minimal drying time, as residual moisture levels vary based on load type and quantity, and current solutions rely on humidity sensors but lack precise control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The method involves measuring exhaust and supply air humidity and temperature at multiple points to calculate an absolute humidity difference, using this data to determine when the drying phase should end once the difference falls below a predefined threshold, ensuring the items are sufficiently dry and minimizing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drying phase duration is extended to ensure thorough drying of all loads, then the drying result reliability is improved, but the energy consumption and time cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses humidity sensors to continuously monitor the humidity of exhaust air and supply air during the drying phase. The control unit receives these measurements and dynamically adjusts the drying process, extending or shortening the drying phase based on actual moisture levels rather than following a fixed timeline. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable drying results while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying phase duration is made dynamic rather than static. The control unit calculates the remaining drying time based on real-time humidity measurements and adjusts the drying phase accordingly. This allows the system to adapt to different load types and quantities, ensuring thorough drying when needed while reducing energy consumption when less drying is required.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the drying phase duration is reduced to minimize energy consumption, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the drying result reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The humidity sensors provide continuous feedback on the drying progress by measuring exhaust air and supply air humidity. The control unit uses this feedback to determine when the drying phase can be safely terminated, ensuring that the drying result is reliable even when the drying phase is shortened for energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces fixed mechanical timing controls with a sensor-based control system. Instead of running the drying phase for a predetermined time, the control unit uses humidity measurements to intelligently determine the optimal termination point, substituting mechanical timing with sensor-based decision-making to achieve both energy efficiency and reliability.
3Measurement precision
If humidity measurements are taken at multiple points in time, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The same humidity sensor is used for multiple purposes: measuring both exhaust air humidity and supply air humidity at different time points. This multi-functional use of the sensor improves measurement precision without requiring additional sensors, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own exhaust air and supply air streams as the measurement medium, eliminating the need for separate sampling systems. The humidity sensor measures the humidity of air that is already circulating through the system, allowing multiple measurements without adding complex sampling infrastructure.
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 approach allows for a reproducible drying result with reduced drying time and energy usage by accurately determining when the desired level of dryness is achieved, optimizing the drying phase duration based on real-time moisture levels.
Implementation Method 1
a first humidity sensor, which is used to measure a humidity value of an exhaust air humidity of exhaust air exiting from the cleaning chamber at at least two different points in time
Implementation Method 2
a second humidity sensor, which is used to measure a humidity value of supply air humidity of supply air sucked in at least partially from an area surrounding the cleaning chamber
Implementation Method 3
a first temperature sensor, which is used to measure a temperature of exhaust air exiting from the cleaning chamber
Implementation Method 4
a second temperature sensor, which is used to measure a temperature of supply air sucked in at least partially from an area surrounding the cleaning chamber
Implementation Method 5
the control unit is specifically designed to calculate, on the basis of the at least two values for the exhaust air humidity and the at least two values for the supply air humidity, a period of time which is likely to be required for a difference between an absolute humidity of the exhaust air and an absolute humidity of the supply air to fall below a predefinable threshold value
Implementation Method 6
heated with the help of a heater and fed into the interior of a washing chamber of the device. The drops on the items to be cleaned (the so-called load) evaporate
Implementation Method 7
For active drying, air is sucked in by a blower from the area around the device, heated with the help of a heater and fed into the interior of a washing chamber of the device
Implementation Method 8
The drops on the items to be cleaned (the so-called load) evaporate and the drying air is enriched with moisture
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling the duration of a drying phase of a process for cleaning and optionally disinfecting items, in which the humidity value of the exhaust air (2) is measured at at least two different times ti using a first humidity sensor. The method is characterized by the following further steps: determining the temperature of the exhaust air flowing from a cleaning chamber in which the items are dried, by means of a first temperature sensor, so that the exhaust air humidity (2) indicates the absolute humidity of the exhaust air;Measuring the humidity value of the supply air (1) at the same time points ti using a second humidity sensor, wherein the temperature of the supply air, which is at least partially drawn from the environment of the cleaning chamber and used to dry the items to be cleaned, is additionally determined by means of a second temperature sensor, so that the supply air humidity (1) indicates the absolute humidity of the supply air; calculating, based on the exhaust air humidity (2) and the supply air humidity (1), a time period that is expected to be required for the difference between the exhaust air humidity (2) and the supply air humidity (1) to fall below a predefinable threshold value; and ending the drying phase when the time period has elapsed. The invention further relates to a device that employs such a method.