Incubator
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing incubator humidifier configuration requires detachment from the main body for water supply, leading to fluctuations in humidity, increased operational complexity, and potential hygiene issues, as well as noise and stress to the baby due to attachment and detachment processes.
Innovation Solution
An incubator with a humidifier featuring a connection for a water supply hose from an external container, utilizing a float valve to automatically control water supply based on the water level within the humidifying tank, allowing continuous humidification without detachment and ensuring hygienic conditions by minimizing operator interaction with the humidifying tank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the humidifier is detached from the incubator main body for water supply, then the water storage tank can be refilled, but the humidity of the baby accommodation chamber fluctuates and the operation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The water storage tank is separated from the humidifier body, allowing the tank to be detached for refilling while the humidifier remains connected to the incubator. This segmentation enables independent water supply operations without disrupting the humidifier's functioning or the chamber's humidity stability.
Solution Approach 2:
A water supply hose connects the water storage tank to the humidifier, serving as an intermediary that allows water to be supplied continuously even when the tank is detached for refilling. This intermediary connection maintains the humidifier's operation and prevents humidity fluctuations during water supply operations.
2Ease of operation
If the humidifier is detached from the incubator main body, then the water storage tank can be accessed for water supply, but operation noise and shock occur causing stress to the baby
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the water storage tank from the humidifier body, the design allows the tank to be accessed and refilled independently without detaching the entire humidifier unit. This eliminates the noise and shock generated by humidifier detachment, protecting the baby while still enabling easy water supply operations.
3Ease of operation
If the humidifier is detached for water supply, then the water storage tank can be refilled, but water may spill around the incubator
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply hose acts as an intermediary connection between the water storage tank and the humidifier. When the tank is detached for refilling, the hose remains connected to the humidifier, providing a controlled pathway for water supply that prevents spillage around the incubator while still allowing easy access to the tank.
4Ease of operation
If multiple operators touch the humidifying tank for water supply, then water can be supplied to the tank, but hygienic conditions become difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The separation of the water storage tank from the humidifier body creates a distinct water supply interface. This segmentation allows operators to refill the tank through a dedicated connection point without needing to touch the humidifying tank, thereby maintaining hygienic conditions while still enabling easy water supply operations.
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 configuration enables continuous and stable air humidification, reduces operational noise and stress on the baby, and ensures hygienic conditions by allowing for easy water supply and replacement without detaching the humidifier, maintaining consistent humidity levels and preventing no-water heating scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
the arm portion is disposed to be rotatable around a base end portion by using the base end portion as a fulcrum, a tip portion of the arm portion has a float movable upward and downward by using buoyancy in response to the water level of the water stored inside the humidifying tank
Implementation Method 2
Steam is generated by heating the water in a heating unit disposed inside the humidifying tank so as to humidify the air
Implementation Method 3
heating the water in a heating unit disposed inside the humidifying tank
Data Source
AI summary
An incubator includes an incubator main body, a baby accommodation chamber disposed in the incubator main body and capable of being shielded from external air, and a humidifier disposed in the incubator main body so as to generate steam for supplying humidified air into the baby accommodation chamber. The humidifier has a connection portion to which a water supply hose is connectable so as to supply water for generating the steam from a water supply container located outside the incubator main body. In addition, the humidifier includes a humidifying tank which stores the water for generating the steam, a water supply port portion which supplies the water into the humidifying tank in communication with the connection portion, and a float valve which opens and closes the water supply port portion by moving upward and downward in response to a water level of the water stored inside the humidifying tank.