RU2799703C1 - Pasteurizer for breast milk and method for its use - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medical equipment.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to a pasteurizer for breast milk and a method for using a pasteurizer for breast milk. The pasteurizer comprises a housing with a cover containing a vent for steam outlet, in which a heating element is located, a non-removable reservoir, in which a removable container for containers is placed, made with the possibility of accommodating containers with milk for pasteurization, and an electronic unit located in the lower part of the housing. The electronic unit contains a temperature sensor configured to read the temperature of the environment, depending on the indicator, and calculate the voltage applied to the heating element. The electronic unit has a water level sensor configured to send a shutdown signal to the microcontroller when a threshold value is exceeded, configured to control the heating element by means of a proportional-integral-derivative controller. The temperature sensor and the water level sensor are located at the bottom of the non-removable tank at the same level as the heating element at a distance of no more than 16 mm from the heating element. The method of using the pasteurizer is performed by a computing device and includes steps at which the current temperature values are received by means of a microcontroller from the temperature sensor, as well as the current level from the water level sensor. Next, the current temperature value obtained in the previous step is compared with the set value of the target temperature. Then, by means of a proportional-integral-differentiating controller, the voltage and the time period for supplying such a voltage level to the heating element are determined and the voltage obtained at the previous step and the time period for supplying such a voltage level are transmitted from the microcontroller to the heating element. If the water level sensor sends a shutdown signal to the microcontroller, the microcontroller stops signalling that voltage is applied to the heating element.

EFFECT: precise control of uniform heating.

8 cl, 6 dwg, 2 tbl

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[001] This technical solution generally relates to the computing field of technology, and in particular to methods and devices for disinfecting or sterilizing dishes and pasteurizing breast milk.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] This technical solution relates to the field of pasteurization of breast milk and devices designed to carry out such a process.

[003] Although we have known for a long time how to feed newborns with reconstituted synthetic milk, breast milk remains the preferred source of nutrition for infants due to its nutritional and immune value that no other synthetic milk can match today. It is now recognized by the scientific and medical community that breast milk provides some protection, in particular against the risks of infection and allergies. Studies conducted on all continents of the world have also demonstrated that breastfeeding infants reduces the incidence and / or severity of pathologies such as diarrhea, lower respiratory tract infections, otitis or even meningitis, bacteria.

[004] The current problem is the development of necrotizing enterocolitis in very preterm infants. The preventive role of breast milk in relation to necrotizing enterocolitis is emphasized, and a promising direction in nursing very premature babies through the creation of breast milk banks is considered. Currently, milk banks are used to collect, process and store breast milk from donor mothers for feeding newborns whose mothers are unable to breastfeed themselves or are underfeeding. Breastmilk should be kept below 4°C for 24 hours after collection in sterilized containers to avoid contamination. However, without further processing, the collected milk can only be consumed within 24 hours of collection. If longer storage is required, milk should be heated or frozen within the first 24 hours. The pasteurization treatment of breast milk after collection destroys the microorganisms contained in the milk, or at least prevents their reproduction, while maintaining the nutritional properties of the milk.

[005] Pasteurization of breast milk requires bringing to a temperature of +62.5°C for 30 minutes, after which the milk is rapidly cooled to a storage temperature of 4°C. This temperature and duration of exposure must be precisely observed in order to ensure that the bacteria and pathogens contained in the milk are destroyed, while maintaining the nutritional and organoleptic properties of the milk.

[006] Currently, there are two main technologies used for pasteurization of breast milk. The first one consists in the traditional pasteurization by heating the milk in a water bath to a temperature of 62.5°C for 30 minutes. The milk is then cooled in a water bath to room temperature and then placed in a refrigerator to bring it to 4°C. Then cooling can last more than an hour. The second pasteurization method consists of dry pulsed air pasteurization. Then milk is heated by blowing hot air into the chamber to bring it to 62.5°C for 30 minutes, then cooling is carried out in the same chamber by blowing cold air. As with the water bath method, raising the temperature and cooling the milk in the forced air pasteurization method takes significant periods of time, in most cases exceeding one hour. This long cooling time for pasteurized breast milk was not considered critical to proper milk storage until recently, and was not even regulated by current health standards. However, following the conclusions of numerous scientific studies carried out in relation to milk preservation, it is now considered important for the good preservation of breast milk and especially its nutritional properties to cool the milk as quickly as possible to 4 ° C in less than an hour.

[007] The source of information WO2004098659 "BABYCARE HEATING APPARATUS" (copyright holder: Cannon Rubber Limited, priority date: 2004-11-18) is known from the prior art. This solution discloses a heating device for child care, containing a vessel (2; 102) for water and a heating element (15; 115) for heating the water in the vessel, characterized in that the temperature sensor (22; 42, 123) for determining the temperature increase caused by the operation of the heating element (15); and control means (25; 125) for controlling the power supply to the heating element (15; 115) depending on the output signal of the temperature sensor (22; 42; 123) and configured to de-energize the heating element (15; 115), moreover, if the change temperature, recorded by the sensor (22;42;123), corresponds to the specified criterion. The device can be used as a sterilizer or bottle warmer and uses the rate of heating during operation to determine if the device is properly filled with water.

ESSENCE OF THE TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[008] The technical task or technical problem solved in this technical solution is the implementation of a device and method for defrosting breast milk and pasteurization.

[009] The technical result achieved by solving the above technical problem is precise control of uniform heating.

[0010] The specified technical result is achieved due to the layout of the electronic unit and sensors located in such a way as to ensure accurate data transmission, as well as through the use of an aluminum non-removable reservoir, which provides high thermal conductivity, direct heat transfer from the heating element, uniform heat transfer to the heated medium and as a consequence, a controlled temperature change process.

[0011] When heat from the external environment exceeds the temperature of the milk, while the heat is distributed evenly over the entire surface of the milk container (the bottle is placed in water), the temperature of the milk rises progressively from the outer layer to the center. Thus, when the outer layer has already reached a liquid state, the next layer is still in a crystallized state. The temperature of defrosted milk cannot be exposed to temperatures above 20 degrees. Controlled time and temperature of the defrosting mode allow you to control and change the parameters in real time, depending on the parameters taken from the sensors, provide uniform defrosting and heating while maintaining the properties of milk.

[0012] The specified technical result is achieved due to the implementation of a pasteurizer for breast milk, which includes a housing with a lid containing a vent that provides steam in the process of boiling water, in which are located:

i. a heating element;

ii. a non-removable tank made of a material with high thermal conductivity, in which a removable container for containers is placed;

iii. a removable container for containers, made with the possibility of accommodating containers with milk for pasteurization; And

iv. an electronic unit located in the lower part of the housing under a non-removable reservoir and containing

1. a temperature sensor configured to read the temperature of the environment, depending on the indicator, and calculate the voltage applied to the heating element;

2. water level sensor, configured to send a shutdown signal to the microcontroller when the threshold value is exceeded.

3. a microcontroller capable of controlling the heating element by means of a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller.

[0013] In some embodiments of the technical solution, the non-removable reservoir is made of a material that provides thermal conductivity above 200 W/(m⋅K).

[0014] In some embodiments of the technical solution, the wall thickness of the non-removable reservoir is 2 mm and is uniform over the entire area.

[0015] In some embodiments of the technical solution, the container is made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene ABS plastic.

[0016] In some embodiments of the technical solution, the removable container for containers is made of a polymeric material resistant to temperatures up to 100°C, having holes that allow water to penetrate from the non-removable reservoir.

[0017] In some embodiments of the technical solution, the temperature sensor and the water level sensor are located at the bottom of the non-removable tank at the same level as the heating element at a distance of no more than 16 mm from the heating element.

[0018] In some embodiments of the technical solution, the water level sensor has an outlet on the inner surface of the non-removable reservoir and is in contact with water inside the non-removable reservoir.

[0019] In some embodiments of the technical solution, the temperature sensor is located on the outside of the non-removable reservoir.

[0020] In some embodiments of the technical solution, the heating element is located centrally on the bottom of the removable container from the outside.

[0021] Also, the technical result is achieved through the implementation of a method for using a pasteurizer for breast milk, which is performed by at least one computing device and includes the following steps:

i. receive by means of the microcontroller from the temperature sensor the current temperature values, as well as the current level from the water level sensor;

ii. comparing the current temperature value obtained in the previous step with a given value of the target temperature;

iii. determining, by means of a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, a voltage and a time period for supplying such a voltage level to the heating element;

iv. transmitting from the microcontroller to the heating element the voltage obtained at the previous step and the time period for supplying such a voltage level;

1. Moreover, if the water level sensor sends a shutdown signal to the microcontroller, the microcontroller stops the signal that voltage is applied to the heating element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The features and advantages of the present technical solution will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] In FIG. 1 shows a general view of the assembly, which displays the control buttons.

[0024] In FIG. 2 shows a top view of the vent.

[0025] In FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a breast milk pasteurizer.

[0026] In FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a non-removable tank, the location of the sensors and the heating element.

[0027] In FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of the implementation of the mechanism of operation of the pasteurizer for breast milk.

[0028] In FIG. 6 shows an example implementation of the Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) method function.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0029] Below will be discussed in detail the terms and their definitions used in the description of the technical solution.

[0030] In this technical solution, a system means a computer system, a computer (electronic computer), CNC (numerical control), PLC (programmable logic controller), computerized control systems and any other devices capable of performing a given, well-defined sequence operations (actions, instructions), smart contracts.

[0031] A command processing device refers to an electronic unit or an integrated circuit (microprocessor) executing machine instructions (programs), a smart contract, an Ethereum virtual machine (EVM), or the like. An instruction processing device reads and executes machine instructions (programs) from one or more data storage devices. The role of a storage device can be, but not limited to, hard disk drives (HDD), flash memory, ROM (read only memory), solid state drives (SSD), optical drives.

[0032] A program is a sequence of instructions intended to be executed by a computer control device or command processing device.

[0033] A proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller is a component in a feedback control loop. It is used in automatic control systems to generate a control signal in order to obtain the required accuracy and quality of the transient process. The PID controller generates a control signal that is the sum of three terms, the first of which is proportional to the difference between the input signal and the feedback signal (error signal), the second - to the integral of the error signal, the third - to the derivative of the error signal.

[0034] Pasteurization is the process of destroying vegetative forms of microorganisms (except thermophilic ones) in liquid media, food products by heating them once and briefly to temperatures below 100°C.

[0035] This solution discloses a device that provides a controlled high-precision temperature regime for defrosting, heating liquid media in containers, in particular breast milk.

[0036] A device operation algorithm will also be disclosed, which can be implemented using sensors.

[0037] The algorithm is implemented by means of a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller. The algorithm for Pid control uses the data obtained from the sensors to control the power transmitted by the microcontrollers to the structural elements.

[0038] This portable electrical device consists of a body, a lid, a non-removable reservoir, a removable container for containers, and functionally and structurally made in advance for the device, and an electronic unit. All elements of the device are in the housing and rigid constructive connection.

[0039] The device operates on AC power and is manually pre-filled with water. In some embodiments, the device may be powered by a removable battery. Also, water can be supplied to the device remotely based on a wireless data transmission signal, for example, from a user's mobile communication device.

[0040] The non-removable reservoir may be made of a material providing thermal conductivity above 200 W/(m⋅K). In a specific implementation example, aluminum is used as the material, the thermal conductivity of which is 203.5 W/(m⋅K). The non-removable tank contains a water level window with level indicators. In some embodiments, the wall thickness of the non-removable reservoir may be 2 mm and uniform over the entire area.

[0041] Containers filled with breast milk are placed in a removable container, after which the container is placed in a non-removable container.

[0042] The container is an element made of a polymeric material that is resistant to temperatures up to 100°C, having holes that ensure the free penetration of water from a non-removable reservoir. In some embodiments, the container may be made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS plastic). The container may be made of other material having temperature resistance from 100°C, mechanical strength and chemical resistance, without being limited.

[0043] Alternative container implementations may be of the following materials:

• polyetheretherketone, PEEK;

• polycarbonate, PC;

• polyetherimide, PEI.

[0044] Table 1 below shows some characteristics of container materials.

Table 1 Name Tensile strength, MPa Young's modulus, MPa Impact strength, J/m Temperature resistance, °C PC 30-40 1944-1958 28-73 127 PC/ABS 41 1900 196 130 PA12CF 28.8-63.4 2300-7515 21:4-85 143 PEEK 97 3700 160 PPSF 55 2100 58.7 189

[0045] Thus, when a container with containers containing milk for pasteurization is placed in a non-removable container filled with water, the containers are placed in water.

[0046] The housing contains an electronic unit with built-in software that controls the technical process of starting heating, controlling heating, stopping heating, and all processes are controlled by a microcontroller and a set of sensors of this electronic unit.

[0047] The electronic unit is located in the lower part of the housing under the non-removable tank (fixed on it) and contains a temperature sensor, as well as a water level sensor.

[0048] The sensors are located at the bottom of the non-removable tank at the same level as the heating element, at a distance of no more than 16 mm from the heating element. The sensors are located in such a way that the water level sensor has an exit to the inner surface of the non-removable tank and is in contact with the water inside the tank. The temperature sensor is located on the outside of the non-removable tank.

[0049] The heating element is located centrally on the bottom of the removable container from the outside, that is, it is not in the water. The lid has a vent that allows steam to escape when the water boils.

[0050] The heating element is a barium titanate (BaTiO3) polycrystalline ceramic element with PTC (Positive temperature coefficient) temperature sensitivity.

[0051] The technology lies in the fact that the PTC electrical resistance is non-linearly dependent on the heating temperature. When connected to the AC mains and energized, after reaching the maximum resistance temperature (Curie temperature) due to the composition of the ceramic, the resistance of the element increases many times over, limiting the flow of current and further temperature rise, thus preventing the possibility of overheating of the system.

[0052] The heating element consists of a PTC contact heating element mounted in an aluminum housing, where the aluminum housing has holes on the surface of the outer profile for installation, which ensures precise fixation and optimal heat transfer. The heating element is in contact with the electronic unit of the device through contacts soldered to the microcontroller.

[0053] The size and shape of the heating element, and can be of any shape: flat, bulky; square, round, triangular, etc. This is largely determined by the size of the appliance it has to fit inside and the area over which it has to produce heat.

[0054] In one embodiment, the heating element is a square or rectangular plate with a square side of 10 to 16 cm. The power of the heating element can be 58 to 100 watts.

[0055] The heating element is controlled by a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, which is an electronic component located on the electronic board of the control electronic unit, including a built-in control algorithm. The PID controller uses the indicators obtained from sensors (temperature and liquid level) to control the power transmitted by the microcontroller to the structural elements.

[0056] The microcontroller is programmed so that, upon receiving the values (y(t)) from the temperature sensor, as shown in FIG. 6, compare this value with the set value of the required temperature of this variable (r(t)) set by the software, and adapt the algorithm in such a way as to obtain the required initial value, adapt the voltage transmitted to the heating element and the time period for applying this voltage level (u (t ) ), ensuring a uniform achievement of the desired temperature value.

[0057] The algorithm may be implemented using a temperature sensor.

[0058] The implementation function of the proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control method is shown below.

[0059] These parameters are predetermined in the algorithm or may be set, for example, through the use of an artificial neural network.

[0060] The PID function parameters are shown below:

a. r(t) target temperature °C - temperature pre-set by the program;

b. P =Kp Coeff. proportional impact;

c. D = Kd differential impact;

d. I = Ki integral impact, depending on the programmed mass, heat capacity.

[0061] The result of the implementation of the function is the value of the control signal u(t) of the action signal transmitted by the microcontroller of the electronic unit to the heating element and the overall gain of the analog signal. In a specific implementation example, the coefficient is 1.

[0062] A schematic representation of the function is shown in FIG. 6.

Where

r(t) - target temperature set by software, which must be achieved;

e (t) - difference between r(t) and y(t) (error);

u (t) - the calculated signal strength of the impact on the heating element;

y (t) - data received from the temperature sensor;

Process - temperature measurement by a temperature sensor.

[0063] The received data is again fed to the microcontroller, starting a new cycle of calculating the function and comparing r(t) and y(t).

[0064] The formula model includes the following parameters:

a. coefficient (Kf) of the inertia of the heated body (mass, heat capacity of the system elements);

b. ambient temperature °С;

c. initial temperature °C.

[0065] Through the use of PID controller technology, the algorithm is able to adapt the operation of the device depending on the parameters of the environment.

[0066] The temperature sensor reads the temperature of the medium (water), depending on the indicator, and the microcontroller calculates the voltage applied to the heating element.

[0067] In one embodiment, when the container lid is opened inadvertently during the cycle, the environment is cooled. The sensor reads the change in temperature and adapts the voltage parameters in the PID control algorithm.

[0068] In another embodiment, the non-removable reservoir is filled with water, the temperature of which is lower than the minimum temperature allowed. The sensor reads the temperature and adapts the voltage parameters and the time of applying the specified voltage.

[0069] In yet another embodiment, containers with contents in a state of ice are placed in a non-removable reservoir. Ice, having a temperature below the temperature of water in a non-removable reservoir, by taking energy from the medium (water) of the non-removable reservoir, cools the medium. In this case, the sensor reads the decrease in temperature and adapts the voltage supply, supplying more voltage to the heating element to reach the set temperature.

[0070] The water boil off function works as follows.

[0071] The device is equipped with a water level sensor located at the bottom of a non-removable tank.

[0072] The water level sensor is a sensor based on the principle of conductive measurement and is equipped with electrodes located opposite each other. An alternating current voltage is applied to the electrodes, due to which a current is created in the medium.

[0073] The sensor is in contact with the electronic unit of the device through contacts soldered to the microcontroller. The microcontroller measures the voltage level at the output of the analog temperature sensor.

[0074] A conductivity threshold has been programmed into the sensor algorithm.

[0075] When a value other than the threshold value is detected, the sensor transmits a digital signal of two types to the microcontroller, for example: signal "1" - 0 Volts, signal "2" - 3 Volts, where the signal "1" means turning off the voltage supply "NO ", and the signal "2" - "YES", which means the absence of an action command for the microcontroller, and the continuation of work in the current mode.

[0076] The algorithm is implemented in such a way that the water level sensor sends a shutdown signal to the microcontroller. The microcontroller stops signaling that voltage is applied to the heating element. The heating process stops.

[0077] In the absence of contact with water, the microcontroller receives a signal from the sensor that is different from the current one. Upon receipt of a signal different from the current one, the microcontroller sends a signal to stop the supply of voltage to the control of the heating element. The heating process stops.

[0078] The microcontroller sends a signal to notify the user about the occurrence of an error, for example, in the form of an indication on the device or sends a signal to the user's communication device via a wireless data transfer protocol.

[0079] The signal may be implemented by means of a sound/light signal.

[0080] Boiling off of water is possible because the device includes a vent in the cover of the housing, allowing steam to escape in order to normalize the pressure in the non-removable reservoir and evenly distribute the temperature in the non-removable reservoir. Steam is released throughout the entire heating cycle.

[0081] The "Heating" mode is described below in detail.

[0082] A microcontroller generates a stable voltage to achieve an exponential water temperature of 30-35°C. Keeping for 5 min.

[0083] Further, the decrease in temperature is graduated depending on the programmed volume of the placed containers. There is a uniform decrease in the applied voltage, as a result of which the temperature decreases. The top layer of the contents of the container is defrosted when it first reaches 30 °C on the display after defrosting, the top thawed layer will begin to heat up, which can form an incubation environment for the development of microorganisms.

[0084] In order to avoid overheating of the upper thawed layer of liquid in the container, the temperature decreases and the next (inner) layer of ice thaws already at a reduced temperature, preventing overheating of the outer layer. In this way, smooth defrosting is achieved.

[0085] The temperature of the contents in the containers is calculated mathematically.

[0086] The accuracy of temperature determination is ensured by the high thermal conductivity of the non-removable reservoir material, since the temperature is transferred directly from the heating element to the non-removable reservoir and is evenly distributed over the entire area of the non-removable reservoir and is transferred to the heated medium (water), therefore it is distributed evenly over the entire area of the non-removable reservoir and heated environment.

[0087] After reaching the maximum temperature (35°C), the program starts a step-by-step decrease in temperature and exposure at a given temperature for a given period of time.

[0088] The "defrost" mode includes several modes depending on the volume of liquid in containers (bottles with milk). The loading volume is set using the control button. The algorithm calculates the temperature reduction step depending on the volume of liquid in containers/bottles 60-90 ml, 120-150 ml, 180-210 ml (or 190-250). Depending on the set mode, the program calculates the temperature step and the time step.

[0089] The temperature of the contents of the bottles is not measured, but equated to the programmed average target temperature.

[0090] As the desired temperature is approached, the algorithm reduces the temperature change step (supplying voltage from the microcontroller to the heating element, to ensure the accuracy of reaching the set temperature. The temperature changes more slowly as it approaches the desired temperature in order to accurately provide an indicator.

[0091] The time to reach a defrost of a given volume is calculated using a mathematical model and programmed into the device. Based on the calculation that the thermal conductivity of milk at 20°C is 0.5 W/(m×K). The thermal conductivity of milk increases with increasing temperature and slightly. Thus, the formula calculates the power that must be set to raise the temperature of the volume of water contained in the non-removable tank within a given time, and is the result of two calculations: the calculation of the power to increase the temperature of the liquid (Pch) and the calculation of heat loss (Pth).

[0092] An example implementation of the formula is shown below.

- Thermal power: Pch (kW);

- Liquid weight: M (ml) ;

- Specific heat capacity of the liquid: Cp (kcal/kg×°C) ;

- Initial temperature: t1 (°C) ;

- Required final temperature: t2 (°C) ;

- Heating time: T (h) ;

- 1.2: A safety factor related to our manufacturing tolerances and variations in mains voltage.

Pch = (M × Cp × (t2 - t1) × 1.2) ÷ (860 × T)

[0093] An example of the implementation of temperature ranges in the "defrost" mode is shown in Table 2.

table 2 Tank volume Duration of the temperature reduction cycle from + 35 °С, min Temperature cycle 60-150 ml 90 From 0 to 5 min - 35 °С From 5 to 30 min - 28 °С From 30 to 50 min -20 °С From 50 to 70 - 10 °С From 70 to 90 - 5 °С 150 - 210 ml 90 - 180 From 0 to 5 min - 35 °С From 5 to 50 min - 28 °С From 50 to 100 min -20 °С From 100 to 150 min - 10 °С From 150 to 180 - 5 °C 210 - 270 ml 180 - 240 From 0 to 5 min - 35 °С From 5 to 60 min - 28 °С From 60 to 100 min -20 °С From 100 to 180 - 10 °С From 180 to 240 - 5 °C

[0094] The "Pasteurization" mode will be described in detail below.

[0095] Program mode is possible only at a temperature of the medium (water) not lower than + 30-36°C.

[0096] This mode provides a controlled uniform achievement of the pasteurization temperature of 62.5 - 63°C. Time to reach 4 minutes. Maintaining the regime for 30 minutes provides pasteurization, which allows you to save the chemical properties of milk.

[0097] To implement the control algorithm for the "pasteurization" mode, the microcontroller sets a constant unchanging value u (t), which controls the constancy of the control signal u (t) of the impact signal transmitted by the microcontroller to the heating element

[0098] Next, the "treatment/disinfection of dishes" mode is disclosed.

[0099] The non-removable reservoir is filled to the bottom water level to prevent water from leaking when water is actively boiling and steam is generated. The container with containers (empty) is placed in a non-removable tank. Water is heated to a state of steam (100 ° C). Flowing steam is used for sterilization - processing of dishes.

[00100] The implementation of this mode is done by:

a. temperature sensor (temperature control);

b. ventilation hole in the housing cover (steam outlet, pressure normalization);

c. water level sensor (stopping the voltage supply when boiling).

[00101] The compactness of this device speeds up the procedure, since the device works with a smaller volume of material, and does not require connection to a water source.

[00102] Also, the solution allows you to more accurately distribute temperatures and more accurately influence the contents of the container, since the distance between the sensor and the container is physically reduced. The heating element is located directly under the aluminum non-removable tank.

[00103] Heat transfer occurs in media: water - aluminum - sensor. The sensor more accurately reads the water temperature and water temperature fluctuations. The result is less error and greater accuracy.

[00104] Also, this technical solution reduces the time of the procedure and the achievement of results due to the need for less energy and time.

[00105] The technical solution can be implemented as follows.

[00106] The user presses the power button, after which the buttons close the contact - the microcontroller receives a start signal, starts heating - transmits to the temperature sensor, the sensor measures the temperature - transmits back to the microcontroller - the microcontroller reads and transmits the heating signal to the heating element. The heating element heats up, the temperature sensor measures the temperature and transmits it to the microcontroller, and so on until the desired temperature is reached.

[00107] By means of software control, the operating mode and the desired heating temperature are set.

[00108] The control interface is buttons as shown in FIG. 1. Each of the buttons can correspond to one mode, or one button can perform the function of starting several modes by repeatedly pressing.

[00109] In the interaction system of the electronic component of the button, represented on the board as a contact, and the main electronic board, including a counter element for the contact, such as spade pins. Closing the microcontroller's PID contact causes a DC interruption of up to 5V. A voltage interruption is a signal programmed into the microcontroller to signal a specific action, such as start a cycle or stop.

[00110] A temperature sensor is located on the non-removable reservoir. In this embodiment, an analog sensor is used, made using NTC technology (Negative temperature coefficient), a negative temperature coefficient sensor. Thus, as the temperature rises, the electrical resistance of the sensor decreases (negative coefficient), and as the temperature decreases, the electrical resistance of the sensor increases.

[00111] The sensor is in contact with the electronic unit of the device through contacts soldered to the microcontroller. The microcontroller measures the voltage level at the output of the analog temperature sensor.

[00112] The microcontroller reads the signal received from the temperature sensor and runs the PID control algorithm, where the input temperature is Y (t).

[00113] The microcontroller controls the power signal of the heating element depending on the temperature of the sensor.

[00114] The microcontroller, through the PID control algorithm, calculates the value of the control signal u(t) required to transmit to the heating element to achieve the set temperature value.

[00115] The control signal u(t) is a pulse width modulated frequency signal up to 3 kHz.

[00116] Through the PWM algorithm, the microcontroller generates a control signal and controls the power transmitted to the heating element from the 220 V AC mains.

[00117] The heater is equipped with a load control circuit based on a triac. In this implementation, a load limit of up to 300 watts is provided. Thus, the heating element receives power from the microcontroller through the load control circuit, which provides control of the upper limit of the load and provides protection against overheating of the heating element.

[00118] All blocks used in the device can be implemented using electronic components used to create digital integrated circuits, which is obvious to a person skilled in the art. Without limitation, microcircuits, the logic of which is determined during manufacture, or programmable logic integrated circuits (FPGA), the logic of which is set by programming, can be used. Programmers and debugging environments are used for programming, allowing you to set the desired structure of a digital device in the form of a circuit diagram or a program in special hardware description languages: Verilog, VHDL, AHDL, etc. An alternative to FPGAs can be programmable logic controllers (PLCs), basic matrix crystals ( BMK), requiring a factory production process for programming; ASIC - specialized custom-made large integrated circuits (LSI), which are significantly more expensive for small-scale and single-piece production.

[00119] Typically, the microcontroller FPGA chip itself consists of the following components:

• configurable logical blocks that implement the required logical function;

• programmable electronic links between configurable logic blocks;

• programmable input/output blocks that provide communication between the external output of the microcircuit and the internal logic.

[00120] Blocks may also be implemented using read-only memories.

[00121] Thus, the implementation of all used blocks is achieved by standard means based on the classical principles of implementing the fundamentals of computer technology.

[00122] As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, aspects of the present technical solution may be implemented as a system, method, or computer program product. Accordingly, various aspects of the present technical solution may be implemented solely as hardware, as software (including application software, etc.), or as an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects, which may be generally referred to as a "module" , "device" or "architecture". In addition, aspects of the present technical solution may take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-readable media having computer-readable program code embodied thereon.

[00123] Any combination of one or more computer-readable media can also be used. The computer-readable storage medium can be, without limitation, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or any suitable combination thereof. More specifically, examples (non-exhaustive list) of a computer-readable storage medium include: an electrical connection using one or more wires, a portable computer diskette; hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), fiber optic connection, compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage device, magnetic storage device or any combination of the above. As used herein, a computer-readable storage medium can be any flexible storage medium that can contain or store a program for use by or in connection with a system, device, apparatus.

[00124] The program code embedded in a computer-readable medium may be transmitted using any medium, including, without limitation, wireless, wired, fiber optic, infrared, and any other suitable network or combination of the foregoing.

[00125] The computer program code for performing the operations for the steps of the present technical solution may be written in any programming language or combinations of programming languages, including an object-oriented programming language such as Python, R, Java, Smalltalk, C++, and so on, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may be executed in whole, in part, on the user's computer, or as a separate software package, in part on the user's computer and in part on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer. In the latter case, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer via any type of network, including a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or a connection to an external computer (eg, via the Internet via ISPs).

[00126] Aspects of the present technical solution have been described in detail with reference to block diagrams and/or diagrams of methods, devices (systems), and computer program products in accordance with embodiments of the present technical solution. It should be appreciated that each block from the block diagram and/or diagrams, as well as combinations of blocks from the block diagram and/or diagrams, may be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to the processor of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, or other data processing device to create a procedure, such that the instructions executed by the computer processor or other programmable data processing device create the means to implement the functions/actions specified in block or blocks of a flowchart and/or diagram.

[00127] These computer program instructions may also be stored on a computer-readable medium that can control a computer other than a programmable data processing device or other than devices that operate in a particular manner such that the instructions stored on the computer-readable medium create a device including instructions that perform the functions/actions indicated in the block diagram and/or diagram.

Claims (14)

1. A pasteurizer for breast milk, containing a housing with a lid containing a vent for the release of steam, in which are located: • a heating element; • a non-removable tank, in which a removable container for containers is placed, made with the possibility of accommodating containers with milk for pasteurization; And • an electronic unit located in the lower part of the body and containing • a temperature sensor capable of reading the temperature of the medium, depending on the indicator, and calculating the voltage applied to the heating element, • a water level sensor capable of transmitting a shutdown signal to the microcontroller when the threshold value is exceeded, configured to control the heating element by means of a proportional-integral-derivative controller, at the same time, the temperature sensor and the water level sensor are located at the bottom of the non-removable tank at the same level with the heating element at a distance of not more than 16 mm from the heating element. 2. Pasteurizer according to claim 1, characterized in that the non-removable reservoir is made of a material providing thermal conductivity above 200 W/(m⋅K). 3. Pasteurizer for breast milk according to claim 1, characterized in that the removable container is made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene ABS plastic. 4. Pasteurizer for breast milk according to claim 1, characterized in that the removable container for containers is made of a polymer material resistant to temperatures up to 100°C, having holes that allow water to penetrate from the fixed reservoir. 5. Pasteurizer according to claim 1, characterized in that the water level sensor has an outlet on the inner surface of the non-removable reservoir and is configured to contact with water inside the non-removable reservoir. 6. Pasteurizer according to claim 1, characterized in that the temperature sensor is located on the outside of the non-removable tank. 7. Pasteurizer according to claim 1, characterized in that the heating element is located centrally on the bottom of the removable container from the outside. 8. A method of using a pasteurizer for breast milk according to claim 1, performed by at least one computing device and including the steps at which the current temperature values are obtained by means of a microcontroller from the temperature sensor, as well as the current level from the water level sensor; comparing the current temperature value obtained in the previous step, with a given value of the target temperature; determine by means of a proportional-integral-derivative regulator voltage and time period of supply of such a voltage level to the heating element; transmitting from the microcontroller to the heating element the voltage obtained at the previous step and the time period for supplying such a voltage level; moreover, if the water level sensor sends a shutdown signal to the microcontroller, the microcontroller stops the signal to supply voltage to the heating element.

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