Infant Incubator Heater With Flat Heat Transfer Plate for Quiet Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Incubators for small children face challenges with complex and difficult-to-clean heat exchanger designs, high surface temperatures, and noise issues due to the geometry of existing heating elements, which complicate heating and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A heater with a horizontally arranged, flat, fin-free heat transfer element that is easy to clean and operates at lower surface temperatures, using a fan wheel to circulate air over the heat transfer element for uniform heating, and a flow element to guide air flows and prevent turbulence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional heat exchanger elements with fins are used, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but cleaning difficulty increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the fin structure from the heat exchanger element, using a smooth cylindrical surface instead. This removes the complex geometry that causes cleaning difficulties while maintaining heat transfer functionality through the cylindrical shape and strategic positioning in the airflow path.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding fins to increase heat transfer surface area, the invention inverts the approach by using a smooth cylindrical element and relying on airflow patterns and radiation heat transfer. The heat exchanger element is positioned to receive radiant heat from above and transfer it through convection to the airflow, reversing the traditional forced convection approach.
2Temperature
If traditional heat exchanger elements with fins are used, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the fin structure from the heat exchanger element, using a smooth cylindrical surface instead. This removes the complex geometry that causes cleaning difficulties while maintaining heat transfer functionality through the cylindrical shape and strategic positioning in the airflow path.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the heat exchanger element from a finned structure to a smooth cylinder with specific diameter (5-15 cm) and positioning (5-15 cm below the heat source). This parameter optimization maintains heat transfer efficiency while dramatically simplifying the device geometry.
3Temperature
If heating coil tubes are used, then heating function is achieved, but surface temperature becomes too high and cleaning difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the heat exchanger element from a finned structure to a smooth cylinder with specific diameter (5-15 cm) and positioning (5-15 cm below the heat source). This parameter optimization maintains heat transfer efficiency while dramatically simplifying the device geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a smooth cylindrical heat exchanger element as an intermediary between the radiant heat source above and the airflow below. This intermediary element receives radiant heat and transfers it through convection to the air, preventing direct contact between high-temperature surfaces and the air, thus reducing surface temperature while maintaining heating capability.
4Temperature
If elements are inserted into the flow path for heating, then heating function is achieved, but noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding fins to increase heat transfer surface area, the invention inverts the approach by using a smooth cylindrical element and relying on airflow patterns and radiation heat transfer. The heat exchanger element is positioned to receive radiant heat from above and transfer it through convection to the airflow, reversing the traditional forced convection approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the fin structure from the heat exchanger element, using a smooth cylindrical surface instead. This removes the complex geometry that causes cleaning difficulties while maintaining heat transfer functionality through the cylindrical shape and strategic positioning in the airflow path.
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
The solution provides a quiet, easy-to-clean, and efficient heating system that maintains uniform air temperature with reduced surface temperatures, enhancing the safety and comfort of the incubator environment for neonates.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heating element (31) and at least one heat transfer element (30)
Implementation Method 2
the heat transfer element (30) has during operation of the heater (10) a horizontally arranged surface with a flat surface (32) over which an incoming air flow (70) and an outflowing air flow (80) are directed
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The invention relates to a heater for an incubator for infants, wherein the heater has a housing structure with an upper housing surface and a lower housing surface, at least one air inlet for an inflowing air stream, at least one air outlet for an outflowing air stream, at least one fan impeller, at least one heating element and at least one heat transfer element, wherein the upper housing surface and the lower housing surface delimit a flow space. According to the invention, the heat transfer element is a plate with a flat surface that is arranged horizontally during operation of the heater. The invention also relates to an incubator for infants having such a heater.