Incubator Steam Cleaning Method Using Periodic Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disinfection methods for laboratory incubators leave dead germs adhering to surfaces, requiring laborious manual cleaning to remove contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A method that generates water vapor by heating a reservoir and condenses it within the incubator to loosen and wash away adhering impurities, directing them back to the reservoir for removal, using overpressure of no more than 0.5 bar and optionally cooling the walls to enhance condensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If steam is generated and condensed in the incubator chamber to loosen contaminants, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but water vapor concentration increases and may cause unwanted condensation
Solution Approach 1:
The system alternates between steam generation phases and condensation phases. During steam generation, heating elements evaporate water to create cleaning steam. During condensation phases, heating elements are switched off to allow steam to condense and drain, preventing excessive water accumulation while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through repeated cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts heating element operation to control water vapor concentration. Heating elements are selectively activated during steam generation to loosen contaminants, then deactivated during condensation phases to allow water to drain, thereby controlling the quantity of water vapor while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
2Reliability
If all heating elements are operated to generate maximum steam for disinfection, then germ killing effectiveness is improved, but condensation control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic cycling of heating elements to achieve both disinfection and condensation control. Heating elements are operated during steam generation phases to kill germs, then switched off during condensation phases to allow controlled water drainage, maintaining both disinfection effectiveness and condensation management
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for condensation control by designing the incubator with drainage paths and collecting areas before the disinfection process begins. This preliminary structural preparation allows condensation to be naturally directed and collected when heating elements are switched off, simplifying the overall operation
3Manufacturing precision
If steam is generated continuously to remove all contaminants, then cleaning completeness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves complete contaminant removal through repeated cycles of steam generation and condensation rather than continuous steam generation. Each cycle loosens and removes a portion of contaminants, with multiple cycles ensuring complete cleaning while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains cleaning effectiveness through continuous cycling where steam generation phases are immediately followed by condensation and drainage phases. This continuous alternating action ensures contaminants are progressively removed over time without requiring sustained high-energy steam generation
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
Effectively removes contaminants from surfaces without manual intervention, allowing for thorough cleaning of hard-to-reach areas and simplifying the process by integrating with existing incubator designs.
Implementation Method 1
water vapor is generated by a heating device (3) heating water in a water reservoir (2)
Implementation Method 2
water vapor is generated by a heating device (3) heating water in a water reservoir (2) and simultaneously condenses in the usable space (10)
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves generating steam in a usable space (10) of a climatic cabinet (1) by heating a water reservoir (2), and simultaneously condensing the steam on walls (11') of the usable space, where the usable space is surrounded by walls that are adapted to be heated by a heating device (3'). The heating device is switched-off during a cleaning procedure. The walls are cooled during the cleaning procedure by a cooling unit (4), where the water reservoir is arranged in a floor area (12) within the usable space or outside the climatic cabinet.