Wireless Vacuum Pump Stand Control for Fume Cupboard Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pump stands for rotary evaporators pose health hazards to laboratory personnel due to the need for close proximity during operation, as they require manual adjustment and monitoring, and risk uncontrolled operation when battery power is depleted, especially with exclusive wireless control connections.
Innovation Solution
A pump stand with a panel-mounted control unit and optional remote control unit, featuring a contact system for charging and wireless operation, allowing safe distance control with a touch-screen display and control buttons, and incorporating a diaphragm pump for precise pressure regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pump stand is operated manually with the control unit located on the panel, then the operation is simple and direct, but the laboratory personnel must remain in close proximity to the fume cupboard, exposing them to potential health hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote control unit as an intermediary device that enables operation of the pump stand from a distance. The remote control unit transmits control signals wirelessly to the pump stand, allowing laboratory personnel to adjust parameters and monitor operations without being in close proximity to the fume cupboard, thus eliminating exposure to hazardous vapors while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/wired control system with a wireless communication system. The control unit and remote control unit communicate via wireless signals (such as radio frequency), eliminating the need for physical connection and enabling distance operation. This substitution allows personnel to operate the pump stand safely from outside the fume cupboard while maintaining full control functionality
2Ease of operation
If the control unit operates exclusively via radio connection, then wireless operation from a distance is enabled, but the pump may continue operating in an uncontrolled fashion when batteries are dead and control connection cannot be reestablished quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a docking station with a contact system that performs preliminary actions to ensure reliable control connection. When the remote control unit is placed in the docking station, the contact system automatically recharges the batteries and establishes a wired control connection in advance. This preliminary action ensures that the control connection is maintained and can be quickly reestablished if the wireless connection fails or batteries are depleted, preventing uncontrolled operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides a backup control connection through the docking station that acts as a cushion against wireless connection failures. The contact system in the docking station maintains a wired connection pathway that can immediately take over if the wireless radio connection fails or batteries are dead, preventing the pump from operating in an uncontrolled fashion and ensuring continuous reliable control
3Reliability
If a docking station with contact system is provided for battery recharging, then reliable power supply is ensured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the docking station to perform multiple functions: it serves as a battery recharging station through the contact system, a docking location for the remote control unit, and a backup control connection interface. By consolidating these functions into a single component, the patent achieves reliable power supply and control connection without proportionally increasing device complexity. The control unit integrates both wireless radio communication and wired contact system capabilities, allowing it to operate in multiple modes depending on the connection available
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum pump stand (1) for generating and regulating the vacuum intended for a rotary vaporizer, including a control device having a control connection to a control unit (4) having at least one control element (3, 6). In the pump stand (1), the control unit (4) is designed as a remote control unit having a wireless control connection to the control device of the pump stand. Laboratory personnel can thus observe the rotary evaporator and the associated pump stand (1) through the divider of a fume cupboard, in order to be able to modify and readjust the process parameters at the remote control panel as needed. Because the remote control unit (4) has a wireless control connection to the control device of the pump stand (1), the fume cupboard no longer needs to be opened, even momentarily. Rather, the pump stand (1) can be operated from a sufficient distance outside the fume cupboard without the laboratory personnel needing to be exposed to special hazards.