Wireless Sensor Data Logger for Sterilization Chamber Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing monitoring systems for sterilization processes face challenges such as structurally costly cable penetrations and disruptions in radio contact, which hinder precise monitoring and verification of temperature and pressure parameters within sterilization chambers with metal walls.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising sensors and data loggers positioned inside the sterilization chamber for acquiring and storing measured values, with wireless transmission to a receiver unit outside, allowing for precise monitoring and evaluation of temperature and pressure parameters without the need for costly cable penetrations and enabling reliable data acquisition during and after the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are positioned directly in the sterilization material and data is transmitted via radio, then temperature detection precision is improved, but structural complexity and cost increase due to cable penetrations through housing walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data transmission function from the physical chamber structure by using wireless radio communication instead of cable connections. The sensor remains inside the chamber while the data transmission path is separated from the chamber walls, eliminating the need for cable penetrations and associated structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces radio waves as an intermediary medium for data transmission between the sensor inside the chamber and the receiver outside. This intermediary allows communication without physical connection through the chamber walls, avoiding the structural modifications required for cable penetration.
2Reliability
If cables are passed through housing walls for data transmission, then continuous monitoring is enabled, but construction cost and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with an electromagnetic radio communication system. This substitution eliminates the need for physical cable penetrations through housing walls, reducing construction complexity and cost while maintaining continuous monitoring capability through wireless data transmission.
3Measurement precision
If testing units with internal data processing devices are used, then monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data processing function from the chamber-mounted testing unit and relocates it to an external receiver device. The sensor inside the chamber is simplified to only perform measurement and wireless transmission, while all complex data processing, evaluation, and control functions are performed outside the chamber, reducing device complexity inside the sterilization system.
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 system provides reliable, precise monitoring and evaluation of sterilization processes by eliminating the need for cable penetrations and ensuring continuous data availability, even with metal-walled chambers, while allowing for online monitoring and post-process evaluation without interruptions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sensor (4, 6) for acquiring measured values, in particular for acquiring the temperature inside a sterilization chamber (2)
Implementation Method 2
The components of this replaceable test module may comprise, for example, a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor
Implementation Method 3
means are provided that allow the wireless transmission of the stored measured values at preset or settable time intervals to a receiver device positioned outside of the closed process chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method (1) for acquiring, compiling and storing measured values in a temperature and/or pressure and/or moisture-dependent process comprises at least one sensor (4, 6) for acquiring measured values. The device (1) contains means (3) for storing the measured values. The sensor (4, 6) and the means (3) are designed to be positioned inside a closed process chamber (2). The device (1) further comprises means (11) for the wireless transmission of the stored measured values at preset or settable time intervals to a receiver unit (10) disposed outside the closed process chamber (2). In a process for monitoring a temperature and/or pressure and/or moisture-dependent process, an acquisition of measured values is accomplished by means of at least one sensor (4, 6) located inside a closed process chamber (2). The acquired measured values are compiled and stored in at least one data logger (3), and during the process are transmitted at preset or settable time intervals to a receiver unit (10) located outside the process chamber (2), by means of a wireless system.