Refrigerated container

Abstract

This application discloses a refrigerated container. The refrigerated container includes a container body, a door, and a door seal. The door is pivotally connected to the container body between an open position and a closed position. When the door is in the closed position, the door gap between the door and the container body forms a pressure relief channel. The door seal is located at the pressure relief channel and is connected to one of the container body and the door. The side wall of the door seal has a pressure relief groove, which is spaced apart from the other of the container body and the door. When the internal air pressure of the container body is greater than a preset difference in external air pressure, the door seal can switch from a sealed state to a pressure relief state. When the door is in the closed position, the side wall of the sealed door seal abuts against the other door to seal the pressure relief channel, while the side wall of the pressure relief door seal moves away from the other door. Thus, the door seal can be used to seal the pressure relief channel, and when pressure relief is needed, the door seal can also deform to release pressure, eliminating the need for additional pressure relief equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of containers, and more specifically to refrigerated containers. Background Technology

[0002] Refrigerated containers are widely used for transporting perishable and temperature-sensitive goods. Airline refrigerated containers, transported by air, are placed in the aircraft cargo hold for transporting high-value, short-shelf-life temperature-sensitive goods. Airline refrigerated containers typically consist of an insulated box, an equipment compartment, and refrigeration components. The refrigeration components are located in the equipment compartment. The insulated box usually has openable doors for loading and unloading cargo.

[0003] During the transport of refrigerated containers by air, if an accident occurs that damages the aircraft's cabin walls or doors, the air pressure inside the cargo hold will drop rapidly. Because refrigerated containers are sealed, this sudden pressure drop will create a huge, instantaneous pressure difference between the internal pressure of the refrigerated container and the external pressure of the aircraft's cargo hold. This significant pressure difference could damage the refrigerated container.

[0004] Therefore, aviation refrigerated containers are equipped with pressure relief devices for rapid depressurization, which can quickly release the gas inside the insulated container when the air pressure in the aircraft's cargo hold drops sharply, thereby balancing the internal air pressure of the insulated container with the external air pressure of the aircraft's cargo hold.

[0005] To ensure that the pressure relief device can be opened smoothly without damaging the aircraft cabin wall, existing pressure relief devices are generally located in the equipment compartment, occupying space. In addition, pressure relief devices can cause additional heat and air leakage, increasing power consumption and reducing the time that the temperature inside the insulated box can be maintained; some pressure relief devices cannot close automatically after opening, leading to uncontrolled temperature inside the insulated box and a decline in cargo quality.

[0006] Therefore, this application provides a refrigerated container to at least partially solve the above-mentioned problems. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The summary section introduces a series of simplified concepts, which will be further explained in detail in the detailed embodiments section. This summary section is not intended to limit the key features and essential technical features of the claimed technical solutions, nor is it intended to determine the scope of protection of the claimed technical solutions.

[0008] To at least partially solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this application provides a refrigerated container, which includes:

[0009] The box has an opening.

[0010] The door is pivotally connected to the enclosure between the open position of the opening and the closed position of the opening. When the door is in the closed position, the gap between the door and the enclosure forms a pressure relief channel.

[0011] The door seal is located at the pressure relief channel and is connected to one of the enclosure and the door. The side wall of the door seal is provided with a pressure relief groove, which is spaced apart from the other of the enclosure and the door. When the internal air pressure of the enclosure is greater than the preset difference between the external air pressure and the door, the door seal can switch from a sealed state to a pressure relief state. When the door is in the closed position, the side wall of the door seal in the sealed state abuts against the other one to seal the pressure relief channel, and the side wall of the door seal in the pressure relief state moves away from the other one.

[0012] The door seal includes a first door seal and a second door seal, which are spaced apart along the thickness direction of the door.

[0013] According to the refrigerated container of this application, when the container door is in the closed position, the door gap between the door and the container body forms a pressure relief channel, and the door seal is located at the pressure relief channel, which can seal the pressure relief channel; the setting of the first door seal and the second door seal, working together, can more effectively seal the pressure relief channel; during the transportation of goods, if the external air pressure of the refrigerated container drops rapidly, the door seal deforms under the action of the gas to open the pressure relief channel. At this time, the gas inside the insulated box can be discharged from the insulated box through the pressure relief channel to reduce the internal air pressure of the insulated box, thereby reducing the pressure difference between the internal air pressure of the insulated box and the external air pressure of the refrigerated container, and preventing damage to the refrigerated container; in addition, the side wall of the door seal is provided with a pressure relief groove, which makes the door seal easier to deform and facilitates pressure relief; the door seal can be used to seal the pressure relief channel, and when pressure relief is needed, the door seal can also deform to relieve pressure, without the need to set up additional pressure relief equipment.

[0014] Optionally, the sidewall of the first door seal includes two first sidewalls, which are spaced apart along the thickness direction of the door.

[0015] Optionally, when the door is in the closed position, the first sidewall of the first door seal in the sealed state is inclined in the thickness direction of the door, and along the thickness direction of the door, the end of the first sidewall away from the door is further away from the center of the box than the other end.

[0016] Optionally, the opening of the pressure relief groove of the first door seal in a sealed state faces the inside of the box door.

[0017] Optionally, along the thickness direction of the door, the first door seal is located on the side of the second door seal, near the inside of the door.

[0018] Optionally, the first door seal does not protrude from the door along the thickness direction of the door.

[0019] Optionally, the second sidewall of the second door seal, which is in a sealed state, is attached to the outer surface of the other.

[0020] Optionally, the inner side of the second sidewall of the second door seal is provided with a tapered portion that is smaller on the inside and larger on the outside. When the door is in the closed position, the smaller end of the tapered portion of the second door seal in the sealed state abuts against the other one.

[0021] Optionally, the tapered portion includes a first tapered surface and a second tapered surface, the first tapered surface being parallel to the width direction of the second door seal, and the second tapered surface being inclined to the width direction of the second door seal.

[0022] Optionally, the opening of the pressure relief groove of the second door seal, which is in a sealed state, is located away from the inside of the box door. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To make the advantages of this application more readily apparent, the application briefly described above will be described in more detail with reference to the specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of this application and should not be considered as limiting its scope of protection. The application is described and explained with additional features and details through the drawings.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the front view of a refrigerated container according to a preferred embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partially enlarged schematic diagram of point A on a refrigerated container, showing the door seal in a sealed state; and

[0026] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The diagram shows a partial enlarged view of point A of a refrigerated container, where the door seal is in a depressurized state.

[0027] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0028] 110: Box body 111: Opening

[0029] 120: Box door; 130: Pressure relief channel

[0030] 140: Door seal 141: Bottom wall

[0031] 142: Pressure relief groove; 143: First door seal

[0032] 144: Second door seal 145: First side wall

[0033] 146: Second sidewall 147: Conical part

[0034] 148: First conical surface; 149: Second conical surface

[0035] 150: Pressing strip Detailed Implementation

[0036] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough understanding of this application. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments of this application may be practiced without one or more of these details. In other instances, certain technical features well-known in the art have not been described to avoid confusion with embodiments of this application.

[0037] The preferred embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting.

[0038] In this document, ordinal numbers such as “first” and “second” used in this application are merely identifiers and do not have any other meaning, such as a specific order.

[0039] To fully understand the embodiments of this application, a detailed structure will be presented in the following description. Obviously, the implementation of the embodiments of this application is not limited to the specific details familiar to those skilled in the art. Preferred embodiments of this application are described in detail below; however, other embodiments may be available in addition to these detailed descriptions.

[0040] This application provides a refrigerated container. This refrigerated container can be used for air transport. When transporting goods via this refrigerated container, if the internal air pressure of the refrigerated container is greater than a preset difference between the external air pressure and the internal air pressure, the refrigerated container can automatically release the gas inside, thereby reducing the internal air pressure.

[0041] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 A refrigerated container includes a container body 110. The container body 110 may be constructed as a generally rectangular parallelepiped structure. The container body 110 includes an insulated compartment and an equipment compartment. The insulated compartment and the equipment compartment are spaced apart along the length of the container body 110. The refrigerated container is equipped with refrigeration components. The refrigeration unit includes a chiller and batteries. The batteries power the chiller. The chiller generates cold air to be circulated into the insulated compartment, thereby controlling the temperature inside the insulated compartment. The chiller and batteries are located in the equipment compartment.

[0042] The enclosure 110 is provided with an opening 111. Along the length of the enclosure 110, the opening 111 is located at the end of the insulated enclosure away from the equipment compartment. The opening 111 communicates with the internal space of the insulated enclosure. It is understood that, in embodiments not shown, the opening may also be located on the top wall or side wall of the enclosure.

[0043] like Figures 1 to 3As shown, the refrigerated container also includes a door 120. The door 120 is pivotally connected to the insulated container. Thus, the door 120 can rotate between an open position and a closed position. When the door 120 is in the open position, a portion of the door 120 separates from the container body 110 to open an opening 111. When the door 120 is in the closed position, the door 120 closes the opening 111. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, when the door 120 is closed and the opening 111 is closed, a pressure relief channel 130 is formed between the door 120 and the box body 110.

[0044] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The refrigerated container also includes a door seal 140. The door seal 140 may be a rubber sealing strip made of elastic rubber. The door seal 140 includes a side wall and a bottom wall 141. The side wall is connected to the bottom wall 141. The plane containing the side wall and the plane containing the bottom wall 141 form an angle.

[0045] A door seal 140 is disposed at the pressure relief channel 130. The bottom wall 141 of the door seal 140 is connected to the door 120. The door seal 140 is deformable to switch between a sealed state and a pressure relief state. When the door 120 is in the closed position, the side wall of the door seal 140 in the sealed state abuts against the housing 110 to seal the pressure relief channel 130. When the door 120 is in the closed position, the side wall of the door seal 140 in the pressure relief state moves away from the housing 110 to open the pressure relief channel 130. A pressure relief groove 142 is provided on the side wall of the door seal 140. The pressure relief groove 142 and the housing 110 are spaced apart.

[0046] It is understood that, in embodiments not shown, the door seal may also be connected to the enclosure. In this case, with the enclosure door in the closed position, the side wall abuts against the enclosure door to seal the pressure relief passage.

[0047] Please continue to refer to this. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The door seal 140 includes a first door seal 143 and a second door seal 144. The first door seal 143 and the second door seal 144 are spaced apart along the thickness direction of the door 120. In this way, when the door seal 140 is in a sealed state, the first door seal 143 and the second door seal 144 work together to more effectively seal the pressure relief channel 130.

[0048] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 When transporting goods in a refrigerated container, the container door 120 is in the closed position. At this time, the internal air pressure inside the insulated container is approximately the same as the external air pressure of the refrigerated container. The door seal 140 is in a sealed state.

[0049] During cargo transportation, if the external air pressure of the refrigerated container drops rapidly (for example, during air transport, an aircraft accident causes a rapid drop in cabin air pressure), creating a pressure difference between the inside and outside, the gas acts on the door seal 140, causing the door seal 140 to experience a force towards the outside of the container body 110 (the direction of the force is as follows). Figure 2 (As shown by the middle arrow). If the internal air pressure inside the insulated box is greater than the preset difference in external air pressure of the refrigerated container, under the action of the gas, part of the side wall of the door seal 140 will flip and deform around the location of the pressure relief groove 142 (the upper end of the side wall bends approximately 90°), thus changing from a sealed state to a pressure relief state, thereby opening the pressure relief channel 130, as shown by the middle arrow. Figure 3 As shown. At this time, the gas inside the insulation box can be discharged from the insulation box through the pressure relief channel 130 (the airflow direction is as shown). Figure 3 (As shown by the middle arrow) to reduce the internal air pressure of the insulated box, thereby reducing the pressure difference between the internal air pressure of the insulated box and the external air pressure of the refrigerated container, and preventing damage to the refrigerated container.

[0050] When the internal air pressure of the insulated box is roughly the same as the external air pressure of the refrigerated container, the deformed door seal 140 can return to its original shape to seal the pressure relief channel 130.

[0051] The side wall of the door seal 140 is provided with a pressure relief groove 142, which makes the door seal 140 easier to deform and facilitates pressure relief.

[0052] In this embodiment, when the door 120 is in the closed position, the door gap between the door 120 and the container body 110 forms a pressure relief channel 130. The door seal 140 is located at the pressure relief channel 130 and can seal the pressure relief channel 130. The first door seal 143 and the second door seal 144 work together to more effectively seal the pressure relief channel 130. During the transportation of goods, if the external air pressure of the refrigerated container drops rapidly, the door seal 140 will deform under the action of the gas. The pressure relief channel 130 is opened, allowing the gas inside the insulated box to be discharged through the pressure relief channel 130, thereby reducing the internal air pressure of the insulated box and the pressure difference between the internal air pressure of the insulated box and the external air pressure of the refrigerated container, thus preventing damage to the refrigerated container. In addition, the side wall of the door seal 140 is provided with a pressure relief groove 142, which makes the door seal 140 easier to deform and facilitates pressure relief. The door seal 140 can be used to seal the pressure relief channel 130, and when pressure relief is required, the door seal 140 can also be deformed to relieve pressure, without the need for additional pressure relief equipment.

[0053] Preferably, the refrigerated container also includes a retaining strip 150. The retaining strip 150 can be a long strip of metal. The retaining strip 150 can be used to connect the bottom wall 141 to the container body 110. This allows the door seal 140 to be securely fixed.

[0054] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the sidewall of the first door seal 143 includes two first sidewalls 145. The two first sidewalls 145 are spaced apart along the thickness direction of the door 120. Thus, when the door 120 is in the closed position, the two first sidewalls 145 of the first door seal 143, which are in a sealed state, work together to more effectively seal the pressure relief channel 130.

[0055] More preferably, in the first door seal 143, both first sidewalls 145 are located on the same side of the bottom wall 141. Thus, the first door seal 143 forms a U-shaped structure. Consequently, the structure of the first door seal 143 is simple.

[0056] Please refer to Figure 2 When the container door 120 is in the closed position, the first sidewall 145 of the first door seal 143, which is in a sealed state, is inclined along the thickness direction of the container door 120. At this time, along the thickness direction of the container door 120, the end of the first sidewall 145 that is away from the container door 120 is further away from the center of the container body 110 than the other end. This facilitates closing the container door 120. In addition, it facilitates the deformation of the first sidewall 145 when the external air pressure of the refrigerated container drops rapidly.

[0057] Please continue to refer to this. Figure 2 The opening 111 of the pressure relief groove 142 of the first door seal 143, which is in a sealed state, faces the inside of the container door 120 (the side of the container door 120 near the center of the container body 110 when the container door 120 is in the closed position). This facilitates the deformation of the first side wall 145 when the external air pressure of the refrigerated container drops rapidly.

[0058] Along the thickness direction of the door 120, the first door seal 143 is located on the side of the second door seal 144 near the inner side of the door 120. This facilitates closing the door 120.

[0059] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, along the thickness direction of the door 120, the first door seal 143 does not protrude from the door 120. That is, the first door seal 143 is located within the pressure relief channel 130. Therefore, the first door seal 143 is located outside the internal space of the insulated box, resulting in a larger internal space. Furthermore, it prevents goods stored in the insulated box from bumping or damaging the first door seal 143.

[0060] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3The side wall of the second door seal 144 is the second side wall 146. When the door 120 is in the closed position and the second door seal 144 is in a sealed state, the inner side of the second side wall 146 is attached to the outer end face of the box body 110. This prevents rainwater and other substances from entering the pressure relief channel 130.

[0061] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a conical portion 147 is provided on the inner surface of the second sidewall 146. The conical portion 147 is constructed with a smaller inner end (the end of the conical portion 147 near the container body 110 when the second door seal 144 is in the sealed state) and a larger outer end (the end of the conical portion 147 away from the container body 110 when the second door seal 144 is in the sealed state). When the container door 120 is in the closed position, the smaller end of the conical portion 147 of the sealed second door seal 144 abuts against the container body 110. In this way, when the container door 120 is in the closed position, the contact area between the second sidewall 146 and the container body 110 can be reduced. Thus, when the pressure difference between the inside of the insulated container and the outside of the refrigerated container is large, the gas inside the insulated container is discharged from the insulated container at high speed through the pressure relief channel 130. At this time, the cone-shaped part 147 can reduce the pressure difference between the inner and outer sides of the lip of the second door seal 144, preventing the second door seal 144 from being pressed onto the box body 110 when high-speed air is discharged from the pressure relief channel 130, thus preventing the gas in the insulation box from being discharged.

[0062] The tapered portion 147 includes a first tapered surface 148 and a second tapered surface 149. The first tapered surface 148 is parallel to the width direction of the second door seal 144 (the width direction of the second door seal 144 is parallel to the thickness direction of the door 120). The second tapered surface 149 is inclined to the width direction of the second door seal 144. When the second door seal 144 is in a sealed state, along the width direction of the second door seal 144, the end where the second tapered surface 149 and the first tapered surface 148 are connected is closer to the center of the door 120 than the other end. Therefore, the second door seal 144 can be formed by a roller forming method, which facilitates the manufacturing of the second door seal 144.

[0063] With the second door seal 144 in a sealed state, the opening 111 of the pressure relief groove 142 of the second door seal 144 is away from the inside of the container door 120. This facilitates the deformation of the second side wall 146 when the external air pressure of the refrigerated container drops rapidly.

[0064] This application has been described through the above embodiments. However, it should be understood that the above embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit this application to the scope of the described embodiments. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that this application is not limited to the above embodiments, and many more variations and modifications can be made based on the teachings of this application, all of which fall within the scope of protection claimed in this application. The scope of protection of this application is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0065] Unless otherwise defined, the technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The terminology used herein is for descriptive purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of this application. Terms such as “component” as used herein may refer to a single part or a combination of multiple parts. Terms such as “installation” or “installation” as used herein may refer to a component being directly attached to another component or a component being attached to another component via an intermediary. A feature described in one embodiment herein may be applied, alone or in combination with other features, to another embodiment, unless that feature is not applicable in that other embodiment or is otherwise stated.

Claims

1. A refrigerated container, characterized in that, The refrigerated container comprises: a box body provided with an opening; a box door pivotally connected to the box body between an open position for opening the opening and a closed position for closing the opening, a door gap between the box door and the box body constituting a pressure relief passage when the box door is in the closed position; a door seal which is a rubber sealing strip, the door seal being arranged at the pressure relief passage, the door seal being connected to one of the box body and the box door, a side wall of the door seal being provided with a pressure relief groove, the pressure relief groove being spaced apart from the other of the box body and the box door, a part of the side wall being deformed around a position where the pressure relief groove is located when an internal pressure of the box body is greater than an external pressure by a preset difference, so that the door seal can be switched from a sealing state to a pressure relief state, the side wall of the door seal in the sealing state abutting against the other to seal the pressure relief passage when the box door is in the closed position, the side wall of the door seal in the pressure relief state being away from the other. The door seal comprises a first door seal and a second door seal, the first door seal and the second door seal being spaced apart in a thickness direction of the box door.

2. The refrigerated container of claim 1, wherein, The side wall of the first door seal comprises two first side walls, the two first side walls being spaced apart in the thickness direction of the box door.

3. The refrigerated container of claim 1, wherein, The first side wall of the first door seal in the sealing state is inclined to the thickness direction of the box door when the box door is in the closed position, an end of the first side wall away from the box door being farther away from a center of the box door than the other end in the thickness direction of the box door.

4. The refrigerated container of claim 1, wherein, An opening of the pressure relief groove of the first door seal in the sealing state faces an inner side of the box door.

5. The refrigerated container of claim 1, wherein, The first door seal is located at a side of the second door seal close to the inner side of the box door in the thickness direction of the box door.

6. The refrigerated container of claim 1, wherein, The first door seal does not protrude out of the box door in the thickness direction of the box door.

7. The refrigerated container of claim 1, wherein, A second side wall of the second door seal in the sealing state is attached to an outer surface of the other.

8. The refrigerated container of claim 7, wherein, An inner side of the second side wall of the second door seal is provided with a tapered portion which is small on the inside and large on the outside, a small end of the tapered portion of the second door seal in the sealing state abutting against the other when the box door is in the closed position.

9. The refrigerated container of claim 8, wherein, The tapered portion comprises a first tapered surface parallel to a width direction of the second door seal and a second tapered surface inclined to the width direction of the second door seal.

10. The refrigerated container of claim 1, wherein, An opening of the pressure relief groove of the second door seal in the sealing state is away from the inner side of the box door.

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