Incubator Evaporator Humidity Control Without Flow Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laboratory devices with incubation functions face challenges in precisely controlling humidity levels without significant overshoots or moisture leakage, leading to increased complexity and cost due to the use of additional sensors and pumps.

Innovation Solution

A control device that regulates humidity using an evaporator, employing a humidity control device, heating control device, and water delivery control device, which adjusts water delivery rate based on evaporation values and temperature deviations, eliminating the need for water level and flow sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If an evaporator is used for humidity control instead of a water tray, then humidity regulation speed and precision are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase due to additional sensors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidity regulation speedVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element serves dual purposes: it heats the incubation chamber and simultaneously evaporates water for humidity control. The control unit monitors the heating element's temperature and power consumption to directly determine evaporation rate, eliminating the need for separate water level sensors and flow sensors. The system uses the heating element's own operational parameters to control water delivery, making the system self-sufficient without additional sensing components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The heating element performs multiple functions: maintaining chamber temperature and generating evaporation for humidity control. The control unit integrates both temperature control and humidity control functions, using the heating element's operational data for both purposes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sensors and reduces system complexity while improving humidity regulation speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If additional sensors are added to precisely control evaporator water flow, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater flow control precisionVSAvoidsensor quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors the heating element's temperature and power consumption, using this feedback to determine the actual evaporation rate. Based on this real-time feedback, the control unit dynamically adjusts water delivery rate to maintain precise humidity control. This feedback mechanism achieves precise control without requiring additional sensors by utilizing existing operational parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical sensing systems (water level sensors, flow sensors) with an electronic control system that calculates evaporation rate based on heating element's electrical power consumption and temperature data. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical sensors while maintaining or improving control precision through electronic measurement and calculation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If an evaporator is used instead of a water tray, then humidity control precision is improved, but reliability decreases due to moisture leakage risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidity measurement precisionVSAvoidmoisture leakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts water delivery rate based on real-time evaporation rate calculations. The control unit continuously monitors heating element parameters and adapts water delivery to match actual evaporation needs, preventing water accumulation and overflow. This dynamic adjustment mechanism maintains reliability while achieving precise humidity control by ensuring water is delivered only at the rate it evaporates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit proactively controls water delivery based on predicted evaporation rates derived from heating element power and temperature. By anticipating evaporation needs before they occur, the system prevents water accumulation that could lead to leakage. This preliminary action approach maintains reliability while enabling precise humidity control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables precise and rapid humidity adjustment without overshoots, reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for additional sensors and pumps, and effectively compensating for moisture leakage.

Implementation Method 1

a water-evaporating heating element (7) of an evaporator device... a volume of water that is evaporated by the heating element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP4644523A1Control device for electronically controlling an evaporator device of an incubator and method

Publication Date: 2025.11.05 EPPENDORF AG

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AI summary

The invention relates to a control device for adjusting the humidity in an incubator chamber of an incubation-capable laboratory device, and to a method for adjusting the humidity. In particular, the control device controls a humidity control device, a heating control device, and a water supply control device.