Integrated Cooling Module Layout for Condensation-Safe Medical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooling modules used for internal air cooling of apparatuses face challenges in achieving sufficient cooling capacity within limited structural space, particularly in sensitive medical equipment where precise temperature control is crucial, often leading to reduced cooling efficiency due to large control units and high humidity issues.
Innovation Solution
A cooling module design that integrates a majority of the control unit into the ventilator, allowing for a space-saving distribution of control components, a gas-liquid heat exchanger, and a controller that includes pre-dehumidification and drying modes to optimize cooling capacity and prevent condensation, with the ventilator's drive unit positioned to maximize air flow and reduce structural size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the control unit is integrated into a separate electrical box, then the controller is isolated from the cooling components, but the electrical box occupies large structural volume reducing available space for air transport and heat exchanger
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is merged with the ventilator by integrating the control electronics directly into the ventilator housing. This combines two previously separate components (control unit and ventilator) into a single integrated assembly, eliminating the need for a separate electrical box and freeing up structural volume for improved air transport and heat exchanger design
2Productivity
If the air-water heat exchanger is enlarged to increase cooling capacity, then cooling performance improves, but the flow speed of air increases causing condensation drops to detach and be carried away
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts operating parameters by controlling ventilator speed and coolant flow rate. By optimizing these parameters, the heat exchanger achieves high cooling capacity while maintaining appropriate air flow velocity to prevent condensation drop detachment, thus avoiding spray condensation without sacrificing cooling performance
3Volume of stationary object
If the control components for ventilator control are integrated into the ventilator, then space is saved, but the ventilator construction becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is segmented into functional modules that are integrated into the ventilator. This modular approach allows control components to be distributed and organized within the ventilator structure, managing complexity through systematic arrangement while achieving space savings
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 design enhances cooling capacity, reduces condensation risks, and optimizes space usage, ensuring reliable and efficient cooling with minimized structural footprint, while preventing algae and bacterial growth through controlled humidity management.
Implementation Method 1
a gas-liquid heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a ventilator (6) to generate a secondary air flow to be cooled by the gas-liquid heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
a controller (18) to control the operation of the cooling module
Data Source
AI summary
The cooling module (2) is provided in particular for the internal cooling of a medical device (20) and is constructed as an assembled unit, with a coolant conveyed in a primary-side coolant circuit, with an air-water heat exchanger (8), with a ventilator (6) for generating a secondary-side airstream for cooling using the air-water heat exchanger (8), and with a controller (18A, 18B) for controlling the operation of the cooling module (2), wherein at least a major part of the controller is integrated in the ventilator (6) as a partial control unit (18A). The partitioning of the controller achieves an efficient use of space within the cooling module (2) in such a way that an optimal use of space is obtained in a restricted assembly space for the cooling module (2), and the air-water heat exchanger (8) can be made comparatively large. The speed of the airflow through the air-water heat exchanger (8) can therefore be reduced while the cooling power remains constant, such that the risk of entrainment of condensate droplets is reduced.