Food cold chain transportation device with temperature monitoring and early warning functions

Abstract

The invention discloses a food cold-chain transportation device with a temperature monitoring and early warning function, and relates to the technical field of transportation containers, the food cold-chain transportation device comprises a storage box and an overhead air conditioner, an annular cavity interlayer is arranged in a box body of the storage box, and a thermal insulation layer is arranged at the end, close to the outer wall of the storage box, of the cavity interlayer; an inlet and an outlet which are communicated with the cavity interlayer are formed in the storage box; the overhead air conditioner refrigerates and cools air, and enables the air to circularly flow in the storage space in the storage box and the interlayer of the cavity. A plurality of temperature sensors are arranged in the storage box and used for detecting the temperature of the storage space in the storage box, when the set food storage temperature is reached, the overhead air conditioner stops working or reduces the power, the temperature sensors and the overhead air conditioner are matched to form an energy-saving air conditioner, and the energy-saving effect is achieved; when the temperature sensor detects that the temperature in the storage space continuously rises and tends to reach a set threshold value, the controller gives an alarm to the outside to remind transportation personnel of temperature abnormity and overhaul.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of transport container technology, specifically a food cold chain transport device with temperature monitoring and early warning functions. Background Technology

[0002] Cold chain transport boxes are core equipment for ensuring the quality of temperature-sensitive products such as food and medicine, and their core function is to maintain the stability of the low-temperature environment inside the box. However, current cold chain transport boxes only use insulation materials as the insulation layer, which is insufficient in terms of insulation performance. In addition, cold chain transport boxes also lack intelligent temperature monitoring, failing to transmit temperature data and provide early warnings for temperature anomalies, resulting in transport personnel being unable to perform timely repairs and causing damage during transportation. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a food cold chain transportation device with temperature monitoring and early warning functions, so as to solve the problems of poor insulation effect of storage boxes and inability to provide early warning of abnormal temperatures in the prior art.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a food cold chain transportation device with temperature monitoring and early warning function, comprising multiple temperature sensors and a roof-mounted air conditioner (existing technology, not described in detail in this invention; see authorization announcement number CN212194991U, "An Integrated Roof-Mounted Air Conditioner for Trains"). The roof-mounted air conditioner cools and circulates the air. The device also includes a storage box, with the roof-mounted air conditioner installed above the storage box and the temperature sensors installed inside. The storage box has an annular cavity interlayer, with a heat insulation layer at the end of the cavity interlayer near the outer wall of the storage box. Multiple air inlets and outlets connecting the cavity interlayer are provided inside the storage box. A cut-off plate separates the airflow path within the cavity interlayer. The roof-mounted air conditioner circulates the air within the storage space and the cavity interlayer. When the temperature in the storage space continuously rises and tends to reach a set threshold, the cavity interlayer and the heat insulation layer form a double heat insulation layer. The storage box is equipped with multiple temperature sensors to detect the temperature inside the storage space. When the set food storage temperature is reached, the rooftop air conditioner stops working or reduces its power. The temperature sensors and the rooftop air conditioner work together to create an energy-saving system. When the temperature sensors detect that the temperature in the storage space is rising and tending to reach the set threshold, the controller sends a warning to the outside world, alerting transport personnel to the abnormal temperature and prompting maintenance. During periods of abnormal temperature, the cavity interlayer and the insulation layer form a double insulation layer, effectively slowing down the rate of cold loss in the storage space.

[0005] The storage box includes an outer box and an inner panel. The outer box is provided with several annular ring frames with trapezoidal cross-sections. The end face of the ring frame near the inner wall of the outer box is provided with an annular trapezoidal groove. The upper and lower ends of the ring frame are respectively provided with an outlet and an inlet that connect to the trapezoidal groove. The insulation layer is disposed in the inner wall of the outer box and in the trapezoidal groove; the inner plate is disposed between two adjacent ring frames and between the ring frame and the inner wall of the outer box; the cavity interlayer includes the space formed by the cooperation of the inner plate, the ring frame and the insulation layer, and the space formed by the cooperation of the trapezoidal groove of the insulation layer and the ring frame. An air passage connecting the cavity interlayer is provided on the upper insulation layer, and the air passage is located in the trapezoidal groove; The number of cut-off plates is two and they are symmetrically arranged in the trapezoidal groove located above. The two cut-off plates divide the annular trapezoidal groove into two air flow paths. One path is a straight section for air to flow from the top-mounted air conditioner into the storage space, and the other path is an arc section for air to flow back from the storage space to the top-mounted air conditioner.

[0006] An installation slot is provided on the top of the outer casing. Two return pipes and a central control pipe located between the two return pipes are installed in the installation slot. The two return pipes and the central control pipe are all connected to the cavity interlayer through air ducts. The return pipes have a "T" shaped structure. Air inlets are provided at the end of the two return pipes near the central control pipe and in the middle of the central control pipe. The return pipes and the central control pipe are connected to the air inlet and air outlet of the top-mounted air conditioner through the air inlets, respectively.

[0007] The outlet is located on the upper end face of the inner ring of the frame, in the straight section; the inlet is located on the lower end face of the inner ring of the frame, in the curved section. Cooled air flows out from the roof-mounted air conditioner, through the central control pipe into the trapezoidal groove, and then through the outlet in the straight section into the storage space. The cold air sinks, filling the entire storage space. Afterward, the air is split through the curved section and flows into two return pipes, returning to the roof-mounted air conditioner. The cavity sandwiched between the inner panel, the frame, and the insulation layer does not participate in the airflow and serves directly as the insulation layer.

[0008] The outlet is located on the inclined surface above the ring frame and in the straight section; the inlet is located on the inclined surface below the ring frame and in the curved section. Each inner plate between two adjacent ring frames is provided with a through slot and a return hole. An electric louver is installed in the through slot, located outside the outlet. The return hole is located outside the inlet. A sealing mechanism is provided between two adjacent ring frames to block the return hole. When the top-mounted air conditioner is in normal use (i.e., when the temperature sensor does not detect an abnormal temperature), the electric louver opens and swings, guiding air out of the outlet. The sealing mechanism opens the return hole, allowing air to flow into the inlet. When the top-mounted control malfunctions (i.e., the temperature sensor detects an abnormal temperature), the electric louver closes, separating the outlet from the storage space. The sealing mechanism blocks the return hole, separating the inlet from the storage space, thus preventing all cavity layers from communicating with the storage space, effectively improving the insulation area and insulation effect of the cavity layers.

[0009] The inner plate has grooves at both ends of the through slot. The electric louver includes multiple gratings with rotating shafts mounted at their rotation centers and a reversing motor that drives the gratings to rotate. The rotating shafts are inserted into the through slots with both ends located in the grooves. Sprockets are mounted on both ends of the rotating shaft and on the output shaft of the reversing motor. The sprockets on the rotating shaft are located in the grooves. The reversing motor is mounted on the inner plate and located on one side of the groove. The sprockets on the reversing motor are connected to the sprockets on the rotating shaft via a chain. Transmission between the reversing motor and the rotating shaft is achieved through the sprockets and chain. When the electric louver needs to be opened, the reversing motor operates and drives the rotating shaft to rotate via the chain and sprockets, thereby rotating the gratings. As the gratings oscillate, air is directed into the storage space in an undirected manner. When it is necessary to separate the cavity interlayer from the storage space, the reversing motor drives the gratings to reset and bring them to a horizontal position, sealing the gratings together and between the gratings and the through slots.

[0010] The sealing mechanism includes a slide rail installed on the lower end face of the inner plate and two sealing plates installed on the slide rail. The sealing plates are in contact with the inner plate. Each sealing plate has a pin at both ends. The two pins at the same end of the two sealing plates are slidably connected to a V-shaped plate. The V-shaped plate is provided with a limit groove. One end of the V-shaped plate is connected to a sealing cylinder, which is installed on the outer casing.

[0011] The grid plate is provided with a sealing strip. When separating the cavity interlayer and the storage space, the sealing strip improves the sealing between the grid plates and the sealing between the grid plate and the through groove.

[0012] The temperature sensors are distributed on the ring frame, at the inlet and outlet. The temperature sensors detect the air temperature flowing into and out of the storage space. The controller calculates the temperature in the storage space based on the data from the outlet and inlet temperature sensors. When both the outlet and inlet temperature sensors report a continuously rising air temperature, the controller determines that the top-mounted air conditioner is malfunctioning, indicating an abnormal temperature in the storage box, and issues an early warning to remind transport personnel to perform timely repairs.

[0013] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are as follows: Multiple temperature sensors are installed in the storage box to detect the temperature of the internal storage space. When the set food storage temperature is reached, the rooftop air conditioner stops working or reduces its power. The temperature sensors and the rooftop air conditioner work together to form an energy-saving air conditioning system, achieving energy savings. When the temperature sensors detect that the temperature in the storage space is continuously rising and tends to reach the set threshold, the controller issues a warning to the outside world, reminding transport personnel to address the abnormal temperature and conduct maintenance, ensuring that the food is not damaged or spoiled during transportation.

[0014] The storage box is divided into an outer box and an inner panel. An insulation layer is designed inside the outer box. The inner panel, the ring frame, and the insulation layer work together to form a cavity interlayer. During periods of abnormal temperature, the cavity interlayer and the insulation layer form a double insulation layer, which effectively slows down the rate of cold loss in the storage space and extends the storage time of food.

[0015] The cavity interlayer not only acts as an insulation layer for food storage, but also provides a flow channel for air circulation, saving the need for additional air ducts and reducing the cost of storage box design. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the overall structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the connection between the outer casing and the top plate of the present invention (Embodiment 2); Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the installation of the reflux pipe and central control pipe of the present invention (Embodiment 2); Figure 4 This is a front half-sectional perspective view of the present invention (Embodiment 2); Figure 5 This is a right half-sectional perspective view of the present invention (Embodiment 2); Figure 6 This is a bottom-view half-sectional perspective view of the present invention (Embodiment 2); Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the connection between the ring frame and the insulation layer of the present invention (Embodiment 2). Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the electric louver of the present invention installed on the inner panel (Embodiment 2); Figure 9 For the present invention Figure 8 A magnified view of a portion of region I; Figure 10 An installation perspective view of the closure mechanism of the present invention; Figure 11 This is a front half-sectional perspective view of the present invention (Embodiment 1); Figure 12 For the present invention Figure 11 A magnified view of a portion of region A in the middle.

[0017] In the diagram: 1. Storage box; 2. Top-mounted air conditioner; 3. Top plate; 4. Return pipe; 5. Central control pipe; 6. Inner plate; 7. Ring frame; 8. Insulation layer; 9. Grid plate; 10. Cut-off plate; 11. Cavity interlayer; 12. Sealing plate; 13. Sealing cylinder; 14. V-shaped plate; 15. Reversing motor. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] Example: Figure 1 - Figure 12 As shown, the present invention provides a technical solution for a food cold chain transportation device with temperature monitoring and early warning function, including multiple temperature sensors (not shown in the figure) and a top-mounted air conditioner 2. The top-mounted air conditioner 2 cools and cools the air and drives the air flow. It also includes a storage box 1. The top-mounted air conditioner 2 is installed above the storage box 1, and the temperature sensors are installed inside the storage box 1. The storage box 1 has an annular cavity interlayer 11. The cavity interlayer 11 near the outer wall of the storage box 1 has a heat insulation layer 8. The storage box 1 has multiple air inlets and outlets that connect to the cavity interlayer 11. The cavity interlayer 11 has a cut-off plate 10 that separates the air flow path. The top-mounted air conditioner 2 makes the air circulate in the storage space inside the storage box 1 and in the cavity interlayer 11. When the temperature in the storage space continues to rise and tends to reach a set threshold, the cavity interlayer 11 and the heat insulation layer 8 form a double heat insulation layer.

[0020] Storage box 1 consists of an outer casing and an inner panel 6. An installation slot is provided on the top of the outer casing. Two return pipes 4 and a central control pipe 5 located between the two return pipes 4 are installed in the installation slot. The return pipes 4 have a "T" shaped structure. Air inlets are provided at the ends of the two return pipes 4 near the central control pipe 5 and in the middle of the central control pipe 5. The return pipes 4 and the central control pipe 5 are connected to the air inlet and air outlet of the top-mounted air conditioner through the air inlets, respectively. A top plate 3 is installed on the top of the outer casing. An opening is provided in the middle of the top plate 3. The top-mounted air conditioner 2 is installed in the middle of the top plate 3 and is connected to the return pipe 4 and the central control pipe 5 through the opening.

[0021] The outer casing contains several annular ring frames 7 with trapezoidal cross-sections. Annular trapezoidal grooves are formed on the end face of the ring frame 7 near the inner wall of the outer casing. A thermal insulation layer 8 is disposed on the inner wall of the outer casing and within the trapezoidal grooves. An air passage connecting to the cavity interlayer 11 is provided on the upper thermal insulation layer 8, and the air passage is located within the trapezoidal grooves. Both return pipes 4 and the central control pipe 5 are connected to the cavity interlayer 11 via the air passages.

[0022] The inner plate 6 is disposed between two adjacent ring frames 7 and between the ring frame 7 and the inner wall of the outer box. The cavity interlayer 11 includes the space formed by the inner plate 6, the ring frame 7 and the insulation layer 8, and the space formed by the trapezoidal grooves of the insulation layer 8 and the ring frame 7.

[0023] The upper and lower ends of the ring frame 7 are respectively provided with the outlet and inlet of the trapezoidal groove; temperature sensors are distributed on the ring frame 7, at the outlet and inlet; there are two slit plates 10 symmetrically arranged in the trapezoidal groove located above; the two slit plates 10 divide the annular trapezoidal groove into two air flow paths, one is a straight section for air to flow from the top-mounted air conditioner 2 into the storage space, and the other is an arc section for air to flow back from the storage space to the top-mounted air conditioner 2.

[0024] Temperature sensors detect the air temperature flowing into and out of the storage space. The controller calculates the temperature in the storage space based on the data from the temperature sensors at the outlet and inlet. When both the outlet and inlet temperature sensors report a continuous increase in air temperature, the controller determines that the top-mounted air conditioner 2 is faulty and the temperature in storage box 1 is abnormal, and issues an early warning to remind transport personnel to perform timely repairs. Example

[0025] The outlet is located on the upper end face of the inner ring of the ring frame 7, in the straight section; the inlet is located on the lower end face of the inner ring of the ring frame 7, in the arc section. Cooled air flows out from the top-mounted air conditioner, through the central control pipe 5 into the trapezoidal groove, and then through the outlet in the straight section into the storage space. The cold air sinks, filling the entire storage space. Afterward, the air is split through the arc section and flows into two return pipes 4, returning to the top-mounted air conditioner. The cavity interlayer 11 formed by the inner panel 6, the ring frame 7, and the insulation layer 8 does not participate in the airflow and is used directly as an insulation layer. Example

[0026] The outlet is located on the inclined surface above the ring frame 7 and in the straight section; the inlet is located on the inclined surface below the ring frame 7 and in the arc section. Each inner plate 6 located between two adjacent ring frames 7 is provided with a through groove and a return hole. An electric louver is installed in the through groove. The electric louver is located outside the outlet, and the return hole is located outside the inlet. A sealing mechanism is provided between two adjacent ring frames 7. The sealing mechanism is used to block the return hole.

[0027] The inner plate 6 has grooves at both ends of the through groove. The electric louver includes multiple rotating centers with rotating shafts mounted on the grid plates 9 and a reversing motor 15 that drives the grid plates 9 to rotate. The grid plates 9 are provided with sealing strips. The rotating shafts are inserted into the through grooves and both ends are located in the grooves. Sprockets are provided on both ends of the rotating shafts and on the output shaft of the reversing motor 15. The sprockets on the rotating shafts are located in the grooves. The reversing motor 15 is mounted on the inner plate 6 and located on one side of the grooves. The sprockets on the reversing motor 15 are connected to the sprockets on the rotating shafts by a chain. The reversing motor 15 and the rotating shafts are driven by a sprocket chain.

[0028] The sealing mechanism includes a slide rail installed on the lower end face of the inner plate 6, and two sealing plates 12 installed on the slide rail. The sealing plates 12 are in contact with the inner plate 6. Each sealing plate 12 has a pin at both ends. The two pins at the same end of the two sealing plates 12 are slidably connected to a V-shaped plate 14. The V-shaped plate 14 is provided with a limit groove. One end of the V-shaped plate 14 is connected to a sealing cylinder 13, which is installed on the outer casing.

[0029] The working principle of this invention is as follows: The top-mounted air conditioner cools the air and inputs the cooled air into the trapezoidal groove through the central control pipe 5. The cooled air then flows into the storage space through the outlet. The cold air sinks and flows into the trapezoidal groove through the inlet and into the return pipe 4, eventually returning to the top-mounted air conditioner.

[0030] In Example 2, When the roof-mounted air conditioner is in normal use, the electric louvers open and swing, and the air flows out from the outlet and is guided by the louvers. The sealing mechanism opens the return hole, allowing air to flow into the inlet from the return hole.

[0031] When the top control malfunctions, the electric louvers close, separating the outlet from the storage space. The sealing mechanism blocks the return hole, separating the inlet from the storage space, thereby preventing all cavity interlayers 11 from communicating with the storage space, effectively improving the insulation area and insulation effect of the cavity interlayers 11.

[0032] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within the present invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A food cold chain transportation device with temperature monitoring and early warning function, comprising multiple temperature sensors and a rooftop air conditioner (2), wherein the rooftop air conditioner (2) cools and circulates the air, characterized in that: It also includes a storage box (1), a top-mounted air conditioner (2) installed above the storage box (1), and a temperature sensor installed inside the storage box (1); the storage box (1) has an annular cavity interlayer (11) in its body, and a heat insulation layer (8) is provided on the end of the cavity interlayer (11) near the outer wall of the storage box (1). The storage box (1) has multiple inlets and outlets for flowing air that connect the cavity interlayer (11), and a cut-off plate (10) is provided in the cavity interlayer (11) to separate the air flow path. The top-mounted air conditioner (2) makes the air circulate in the storage space inside the storage box (1) and the cavity interlayer (11); when the temperature in the storage space continues to rise and tends to reach a set threshold, the cavity interlayer (11) and the heat insulation layer (8) form a double heat insulation layer.

2. A food cold chain transportation device with temperature monitoring and early warning function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The storage box (1) includes an outer box and an inner plate (6). The outer box is provided with several ring frames (7) with trapezoidal cross-sections. The ring frame (7) is provided with an annular trapezoidal groove on the end face near the inner wall of the outer box. The upper and lower ends of the ring frame (7) are respectively provided with an outlet and an inlet that connect to the trapezoidal groove. The insulation layer (8) is disposed in the inner wall of the outer box and in the trapezoidal groove, and the inner plate (6) is disposed between two adjacent ring frames (7) and between the ring frame (7) and the inner wall of the outer box; the cavity interlayer (11) includes the space formed by the inner plate (6), the ring frame (7) and the insulation layer (8) in cooperation with each other, and the space formed by the trapezoidal groove of the insulation layer (8) and the ring frame (7) in cooperation with each other; An air passage connecting the cavity interlayer (11) is provided on the upper insulation layer (8), and the air passage is located in the trapezoidal groove; The number of the cut-off plates (10) is two and they are symmetrically arranged in the trapezoidal groove located above. The two cut-off plates (10) divide the annular trapezoidal groove into two air flow paths. One path is a straight section for air to flow from the top-mounted air conditioner (2) into the storage space, and the other path is an arc section for air to flow back from the storage space to the top-mounted air conditioner (2).

3. A food cold chain transportation device with temperature monitoring and early warning function according to claim 2, characterized in that: An installation slot is provided on the top of the outer casing. Two return pipes (4) and a central control pipe (5) located between the two return pipes (4) are installed in the installation slot. The two return pipes (4) and the central control pipe (5) are connected to the cavity interlayer (11) through air passages. The return pipes (4) have a "T" shaped structure. Air ports are provided at the end of the two return pipes (4) near the central control pipe (5) and in the middle of the central control pipe (5). The return pipes (4) and the central control pipe (5) are connected to the air inlet and air outlet of the top-mounted air conditioner (2) through the air ports respectively.

4. A food cold chain transportation device with temperature monitoring and early warning function according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outlet is located on the upper end face of the inner ring of the ring frame (7) and is situated in the straight section; the inlet is located on the lower end face of the inner ring of the ring frame (7) and is situated in the arc section.

5. A food cold chain transportation device with temperature monitoring and early warning function according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outlet is located on the inclined surface above the ring frame (7) and in the straight section; the inlet is located on the inclined surface below the ring frame (7) and in the arc section; Each inner plate (6) located between two adjacent ring frames (7) is provided with a through groove and a return hole. An electric louver is installed in the through groove. The electric louver is located outside the outlet, and the return hole is located outside the inlet. A sealing mechanism is provided between two adjacent ring frames (7). The sealing mechanism is used to block the return hole.

6. A food cold chain transportation device with temperature monitoring and early warning function according to claim 5, characterized in that: The inner plate (6) has grooves at both ends of the through groove. The electric louver includes a grid plate (9) with a rotating shaft installed at multiple rotation centers and a reversing motor (15) that drives the grid plate (9) to rotate. The rotating shaft is inserted in the through groove and both ends are located in the groove. Sprockets are provided on both ends of the rotating shaft and on the output shaft of the reversing motor (15). The sprockets on the rotating shaft are located in the groove. The reversing motor (15) is set on the inner plate (6) and located on one side of the groove. The sprockets on the reversing motor (15) are connected to the sprockets on the rotating shaft by a chain. The reversing motor (15) and the rotating shaft are driven by a sprocket chain.

7. A food cold chain transportation device with temperature monitoring and early warning function according to claim 5, characterized in that: The sealing mechanism includes a slide rail installed on the lower end face of the inner plate (6) and two sealing plates (12) installed on the slide rail. The sealing plates (12) are in contact with the inner plate (6). Each sealing plate (12) has a pin at both ends. The two pins at the same end of the two sealing plates (12) are slidably connected to a V-shaped plate (14). The V-shaped plate (14) is provided with a limit groove. One end of the V-shaped plate (14) is connected to a sealing cylinder (13). The sealing cylinder (13) is installed on the outer casing.

8. A food cold chain transportation device with temperature monitoring and early warning function according to claim 6, characterized in that: A sealing strip is provided on the grid plate (9).

9. A food cold chain transportation device with temperature monitoring and early warning function according to claim 2, characterized in that: The temperature sensors are distributed on the ring frame (7), at the outlet and inlet.

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