Unit carrier

Abstract

The present invention provides a unit carrier, comprising: a box for carrying and insulating cargo; an optional phase-change energy storage material disposed on the inner wall of the box to maintain the temperature of the cargo within; and a temperature regulation module detachably connected to the box to provide cooling and / or heating to the box. Different combinations of the box, temperature regulation module, and phase-change material meet varying requirements during cargo transportation, ensuring efficient and high-quality delivery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport device, and more particularly, to a unit transport device with a refrigeration function. Background Art

[0002] Unit Load Device, also known as a container transport device, is a container equipment used to load cargo in air transport. Cargo transported by unit carriers includes medicines, chemical reagents, and biological samples. The temperature of the cargo needs to be precisely controlled during transportation to prevent the cargo from deteriorating and becoming ineffective. Therefore, the unit carrier that carries such cargo needs to have precise temperature regulation capabilities. For example, taking medicines as an example, different medicines have different temperature requirements. For example, if some medicines need to be maintained at 5 degrees Celsius, the temperature inside the box must be between 4 degrees Celsius and 6 degrees Celsius. In low-temperature external environments, such as in cold regions, a heating function may be required to prevent the drug from becoming ineffective due to excessively low temperature.

[0003] Other requirements for unit carriers include low deadweight, high capacity and a small footprint. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to solve or at least alleviate the problems existing in the prior art.

[0005] According to one aspect, there is provided a unit carrier comprising:

[0006] A box body, wherein the box body is used to carry goods;

[0007] a temperature regulating module, the temperature regulating module being detachably connected to the box to provide cooling and / or heating to the box;

[0008] Wherein, the box body includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and the temperature regulating module includes a fluid output port and a fluid return port. When the temperature regulating module is connected to the box body, the fluid output port of the temperature regulating module is connected to the fluid inlet of the box body, and the fluid return port of the temperature regulating module is connected to the fluid outlet of the box body.

[0009] Optionally, in the embodiment of the unit carrier, the temperature regulation module is connected to the box by translation, so that the pipe sections of the fluid output port and the fluid return port of the temperature regulation module are inserted into the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the box.

[0010] Optionally, in an embodiment of the unit carrier, the temperature regulation module includes a temperature regulation device and a battery for supplying energy to the temperature regulation device.

[0011] Optionally, in an embodiment of the unit carrier, valves are provided at the fluid inlet and fluid outlet of the box body, and when the temperature regulating module is installed to the box body, the valves are opened, and when the temperature regulating module is removed from the box body, the valves are closed.

[0012] Optionally, in the embodiment of the unit carrier, the box includes a phase change material.

[0013] Optionally, in the embodiment of the unit carrier, the phase change material is detachably mounted in the box, and in particular, the phase change material is in sheet form and detachably mounted on at least one wall of the box.

[0014] Optionally, in the embodiment of the unit carrier, the box body is substantially in a cubic shape, and the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are located on a first side wall of the box body.

[0015] Optionally, in an embodiment of the unit carrier, the box comprises an openable door, and the openable door is located at the second side wall opposite to the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet.

[0016] Optionally, in an embodiment of the unit carrier, the box body includes a fluid inlet channel and a fluid return channel, the fluid inlet channel is connected to the fluid inlet and has a portion at the first side wall of the box body and a portion at the top side of the box body, and the fluid return channel is connected to the fluid outlet and has a portion at the first side wall of the box body and a portion at the bottom side of the box body. In particular, the top of the box body may have a top inner partition to separate the fluid inlet partition, and the top inner partition may include multiple ventilation holes. The bottom of the box body may have a bottom inner partition to separate the fluid return layer, and the bottom inner partition has a ventilation port near the second side wall.

[0017] Optionally, in an embodiment of the unit carrier, a first phase change material sheet that can be detachably mounted is provided on the inner wall of the second side wall of the box body, and / or a second phase change material sheet and a third phase change material sheet that can be detachably mounted are provided on the third side wall and the fourth side wall between the first side wall and the second side wall, respectively. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The disclosure of the present invention will be more easily understood with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that these drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Furthermore, similar numbers in the drawings represent similar components, wherein:

[0019] Figure 1It shows a cross-sectional view of a unit carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention when the temperature adjustment module is assembled with the box;

[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of section AA;

[0021] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view showing a unit carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention when the temperature adjustment module is separated from the cabinet; and

[0022] Figure 4 Shown Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a unit carrier after removing the phase change material sheet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] It is easy to understand that according to the technical solution of the present invention, without changing the essential spirit of the present invention, a person skilled in the art can propose a variety of interchangeable structural modes and implementation modes. Therefore, the following specific embodiments and drawings are only exemplary descriptions of the technical solution of the present invention and should not be regarded as the entire invention or as a limitation or restriction of the technical solution of the present invention.

[0024] The directional terms such as up, down, left, right, front, back, front, back, top, and bottom mentioned or possibly mentioned in this specification are defined relative to the structure shown in the drawings. They are relative concepts and may vary depending on the location and usage of the device. Therefore, these or other directional terms should not be interpreted as restrictive.

[0025] refer to Figures 1 to 4 , respectively showing the assembled state and disassembled state of the unit carrier. The unit carrier includes: a box 20 and a temperature adjustment module 10. The box 20 is used to carry goods 100. The temperature adjustment module 10 is detachably connected to the box 20 to provide cooling or, in some embodiments, heating to the box 20. Figure 3 As shown more clearly, the housing 20 includes a fluid inlet 231 and a fluid outlet 232, and the temperature regulating module 10 includes a fluid output port 111 and a fluid return port 112. When the temperature regulating module 10 is connected to the housing 20, the fluid output port 111 of the temperature regulating module 10 is connected to the fluid inlet 231 of the housing 20, and the fluid return port 112 of the temperature regulating module 10 is connected to the fluid outlet 232 of the housing 20. In some embodiments, the temperature regulating module 10 is connected to the housing 20 by Figure 3The unit carrier 10 is disassembled from or assembled to the box 20 by translation in the direction of the arrow in the middle. The unit carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a detachable temperature regulating module 10, so that the temperature regulating module 10 can be disassembled before aircraft transportation and only the box 20 is carried, thereby reducing the actual weight carried by the aircraft. On the other hand, for some types of cargo 100, for confidentiality purposes, the user expects to ensure the closedness of the box 20 during transportation. In this case, the box 20 can be kept open by using multiple temperature regulating modules 10 to cool the box 20. In some embodiments, the temperature regulating module 10 may include a temperature regulating device 11 (which may have cooling and / or heating functions, and the cooling case is taken as an example below) and a battery 12, wherein the battery 12 supplies power to the temperature regulating device 11.

[0026] In some embodiments, in order to keep the box 20 warm after the temperature regulating module 10 is removed, valves 2311 and 2321 may be provided at the fluid inlet 231 and fluid outlet 232 of the box. When the temperature regulating module 10 is installed in the box 20, the valves 2311 and 2321 are opened, and when the temperature regulating module 10 is removed from the box 20, the valves 2311 and 2321 are closed. As shown in the figure, the valves 2311 and 2312 are automatically driven by elastic means, thereby Figure 1 The open position is converted to Figure 3 In the closed position shown, for example, the valves 2311 and 2321 can be elastic valve plates or installed by elastic members such as torsion springs, and the pipe parts of the fluid output port 111 and the fluid return port 112 of the temperature regulating module 10 push the valves 2311 and 2321 open when the fluid inlet 231 and the fluid outlet 232 of the box body 20 are inserted. When the pipe parts of the fluid output port 111 and the fluid return port 112 of the temperature regulating module 10 are withdrawn, the valves 2311 and 2321 return to the closed position due to the elastic members. Figure 3 The closed position is shown. Furthermore, in some embodiments, an insert or seal may be provided to further seal the fluid inlet 231 and the fluid outlet 232, thereby providing thermal insulation. Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment, the valves 2311 and 2321 of the fluid inlet 231 and the fluid outlet 232 of the housing 20 may be valves automatically opened and closed by an electric device, such as a solenoid valve. The valves open upon sensing that the temperature regulating module 10 is connected to the housing 20, and close upon sensing that the temperature regulating module 10 is removed from the housing 20.

[0027] In some embodiments, the housing 20 includes phase change materials 31, 32, and 33. Phase change materials 31, 32, and 33 store cooling energy, such as that provided by the temperature regulation module 10 or other temperature regulation modules, and provide cooling for the unit carrier when the temperature regulation module 10 is removed or depleted of power. Because the phase change materials provide additional cooling energy, the battery in the temperature regulation module 10 can be designed to be relatively smaller, thereby increasing the capacity of the housing 20 without sacrificing operating time and shortening battery charging time. Furthermore, the battery and phase change materials can be charged separately, shortening charging time. In some embodiments, the phase change material can be encapsulated in a copper foam sheet to enhance internal heat transfer and achieve a more uniform temperature within the housing 20. In other embodiments, the phase change material can have other shapes or be arranged in other suitable forms within the housing 20. In some embodiments, the phase change material is removably mounted within the housing 20. In some embodiments, the phase change material is in sheet form and removably mounted to at least one wall of the housing 20. By providing a phase change material, the cold energy provided by the temperature regulating module 10 can be stored, thereby maintaining the temperature of the box 20 when the box 20 is transported alone. The detachable phase change material provides flexible application. For example, when the temperature regulating module 10 is transported together with the box 20, the phase change material can be detached to reduce the overall weight of the unit carrier.

[0028] In some embodiments, the housing 20 is generally in the shape of a cube and includes a first side wall 23 and a second side wall 24 opposite to each other, a top wall 21 and a bottom wall 22, and a third side wall 25 and a fourth side wall 26 between the first side wall 23 and the second side wall 24. In some embodiments, the fluid inlet 231 and the fluid outlet 232 are located on the first side wall 23 of the housing 20. In some embodiments, the fluid inlet 231 and the fluid outlet 232 are arranged close to each other. In some embodiments, the housing 20 includes an openable door located on the second side wall 24 opposite to the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. In some embodiments, as Figure 2As shown, the openable door is set as a double-door, including a first half door 241 and a second half door 242. In some embodiments, the openable door may be a single-door. In some embodiments, the inner wall of the second side wall 24 of the box body 20 is provided with a first phase change material sheet 31 that can be detachably mounted. In some embodiments, the back side of the openable doors 241, 242 is arranged with a first phase change material sheet. When the openable doors 241, 242 are double-doors, the first phase change material sheet is also formed into two halves 311, 312, and the two halves 311, 312 are respectively inserted and mounted to the back side of the openable doors 241, 242 by, for example, a pair of L-shaped cross-section fixing devices 411, 412 arranged up and down, and can be removed by a pulling-out operation. In some embodiments, a second phase change material sheet 32 ​​and a third phase change material sheet 33 that can be detachably mounted are respectively provided at the third side wall 25 and the fourth side wall 26. The phase change material disposed on the door back and both side walls can achieve a more uniform temperature distribution within the cabinet 20. In some embodiments, the second phase change material sheet 32 ​​and the third phase change material sheet 33 are each inserted and mounted to the inner side of the second side wall 25 and the third side wall 26 via, for example, a pair of L-shaped cross-sectional fixing devices 421, 422, 431, 432 arranged vertically, and are removed by being pulled out from the second side wall 24 when the door is opened.

[0029] In some embodiments, the housing 20 includes a fluid inflow channel and a fluid return channel, wherein the fluid inflow channel is connected to the fluid inlet 231 and includes a portion at the first side wall 23 and a portion at the top side 21 of the housing 20, and the fluid return channel is connected to the fluid outlet 232 and includes a portion at the first side wall 23 and a portion at the bottom side 22 of the housing 20. Figure 3 As can be seen in FIG, the partition plate 234 is provided near the first side wall 23 to define a portion of the fluid inflow channel and the fluid return channel, and the intercepting plate 233 separates the fluid inflow channel and the fluid return channel. Figure 3 As shown, when opened, the valves 2311 and 2321 are respectively rotated to be close to the intercepting plate 233. In some embodiments, a top inner partition 211 may be provided on the top of the box body 20 to separate the fluid from flowing into the partition. In some embodiments, the top inner partition 211 may include a plurality of ventilation holes 212 to pass the incoming fluid to the cargo 100. In some embodiments, as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, a plurality of ventilation holes 212 are distributed at different locations between the first side wall 23 and the second side wall 24. In some embodiments, the bottom of the box body 20 may have a bottom inner partition 221 to separate the fluid return layer. In some embodiments, the bottom inner partition 221 has a ventilation port 222 near the second side wall 24 to return the fluid from the container of the cargo 100.

[0030] like Figure 4As shown, after the phase change material sheets 31 , 32 , and 33 are removed, the box body 20 can provide a larger space to accommodate goods and reduce the overall weight of the box body 20 .

[0031] Unit carriers according to various embodiments of the present invention offer flexible applications. For example, for short-distance travel requiring precise temperature control, the temperature regulation module 10 can be inserted and the phase change material sheet removed, thereby providing ample space and low weight. For short-distance travel not requiring precise temperature control, the temperature regulation module 10 can be removed, and the temperature can be maintained solely by the phase change material sheet. For long-distance travel requiring precise temperature control, a combination of the temperature regulation module 10 and the phase change material sheet can be employed. For example, the temperature regulation module includes a battery and can be inserted and removed. The temperature regulation module can be removed before aircraft transport and reinstalled afterward. This reduces aircraft transport weight and improves transport efficiency. During flight, the phase change material sheet provides continuous cooling capacity, ensuring temperature stability within the unit carrier during transport. In some embodiments, the temperature regulation module can be installed at any time to provide cooling for the cabin. In some embodiments, some or all of the phase change material sheets can be removed and replaced. The phase change material sheets can be charged with cold (stored) by the temperature regulation module or removed from the cabin to be charged with cold by other temperature regulation modules. Based on various embodiments, the unit carrier according to various embodiments of the present invention can provide flexible and efficient services according to different transportation purposes. For example, for short-distance flights or transportation, the temperature regulation module can be removed and only the phase change material sheet can provide cooling, while for long-distance flights or transportation, the temperature regulation module can be retained. For example, long-range (theoretically unlimited) cooling of the box can be achieved by successively cooling the box with multiple temperature regulation modules. For example, dual guarantees of the temperature regulation module and the phase change material sheet can be provided to increase reliability and avoid damage to the cargo when the temperature regulation module fails. Other advantages include: easy maintenance, such as when the box is damaged, only the box can be replaced, or when the temperature regulation module is damaged, only the temperature regulation module can be replaced, and the damaged temperature regulation module can be repaired.

[0032] The specific embodiments described above are intended only to more clearly illustrate the principles of the present invention. The various components are clearly shown or described to facilitate understanding of the principles of the present invention. Those skilled in the art may readily make various modifications or variations to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that such modifications or variations are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A unit carrier, characterized in that: include: A box body, wherein the box body is used to carry goods; a temperature regulating module, the temperature regulating module being configured as a cooling and / or heating module, the temperature regulating module being detachably mounted on the box to provide cooling and / or heating to the box; The housing includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and valves provided at the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet; the temperature regulating module includes a fluid output port and a fluid return port; when the temperature regulating module is connected to the housing, the fluid output port of the temperature regulating module is connected to the fluid inlet of the housing, and the fluid return port of the temperature regulating module is connected to the fluid outlet of the housing; Wherein, when the temperature regulating module is installed in the box, the valve is opened, and when the temperature regulating module is removed from the box, the valve is closed; Wherein, the valve is automatically driven by an elastic device or an electric device; wherein the pipe portions of the fluid output port and the fluid return port of the temperature regulating module are inserted into the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the box to push open the valve; and When the pipe sections of the fluid output port and the fluid return port of the temperature regulating module are withdrawn, the valve returns to the closed position.

2. The unit carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that The temperature adjustment module is connected to the box by translation.

3. The unit carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that The temperature adjustment module includes a temperature adjustment device and a battery for supplying energy to the temperature adjustment device.

4. The unit carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that The housing includes a phase change material.

5. The unit carrier according to claim 4, characterized in that The phase change material is detachably mounted in the box.

6. The unit carrier according to claim 5, characterized in that The phase change material is in sheet form and is detachably mounted on at least one wall of the box.

7. The unit carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that The box body is substantially in a cubic shape, and the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are located on a first side wall of the box body.

8. The unit carrier according to claim 7, characterized in that The housing includes an openable door located at a second side wall opposite to the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet.

9. The unit carrier according to claim 8, characterized in that The case includes a fluid inflow channel and a fluid return channel, the fluid inflow channel being in communication with the fluid inlet and having a portion at the first side wall of the case and a portion at the top side of the case, and the fluid return channel being in communication with the fluid outlet and having a portion at the first side wall of the case and a portion at the bottom side of the case.

10. The unit carrier according to claim 9, characterized in that The top of the box body has a top inner partition to separate the fluid inflow partition, and the top inner partition includes multiple ventilation holes. The bottom of the box body has a bottom inner partition to separate the fluid return layer, and the bottom inner partition has a ventilation port near the second side wall.

11. The unit carrier according to claim 8, characterized in that A first phase change material sheet that can be detachably mounted is provided on the inner wall of the second side wall of the box body, and / or a second phase change material sheet and a third phase change material sheet that can be detachably mounted are provided on the third side wall and the fourth side wall between the first side wall and the second side wall, respectively.

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