Vacuum insulation box including monitoring device

The vacuum insulated box design with a reinforcing member and guided cable path addresses thermal bridging issues, maintaining airtightness and insulation efficiency, ensuring reliable temperature management and product quality.

WO2026014747A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-01-15TEMP CHAIN CO LTD
View PDF 5 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/KR2025/008310
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-07-10
Filing Date
2025-06-17
Publication Date
2026-01-15

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Vacuum insulated boxes face challenges in maintaining airtightness due to thermal bridging issues caused by the placement of monitoring devices, which include sensors and cables passing through the insulation, compromising insulation efficiency and reliability during logistics.

Method used

A novel design structure for vacuum insulated boxes that incorporates a reinforcing member in the insulation panels and a guided path for the cable to prevent thermal bridging, ensuring airtightness and insulation efficiency while accommodating a monitoring device.

Benefits of technology

The solution effectively prevents thermal bridges, maintains airtightness, and enhances insulation efficiency, ensuring reliable temperature management and product quality during logistics by integrating a monitoring device without compromising the vacuum insulation.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure KR2025008310_15012026_PF_FP_ABST
    Figure KR2025008310_15012026_PF_FP_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vacuum insulation box including a monitoring device, the vacuum insulation box comprising: a case; a vacuum insulation panel (VIP) assembly accommodated in the case and including upper, lower, and side insulation panels; a packing member interposed between the upper surface of at least one of the side insulation panels and the inner surface of the upper insulation panel, and fixed to at least one of the upper surface of at least one of the side insulation panels or the inner surface of the upper insulation panel; and the monitoring device including a sensing unit, which senses preset information in an insulation space, a main body unit, which is disposed outside the case and provides the preset information to a user, and a cable, which connects the sensing unit and the main body unit, wherein the packing member includes a seating unit which opens at least a portion of the insulation space and guides the seating position and extension path of the cable.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Vacuum insulated box containing monitoring device

[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum insulated box including a monitoring device. In particular, the present invention relates to a vacuum insulated box including a monitoring device that maintains a temperature within an insulated space within a preset target temperature range and obtains sensing information within the insulated space and provides it to a manager.

[0002] The cold chain is a system that manages temperature-sensitive products and other items at appropriate temperatures throughout the entire process from production to consumption. It refers to a logistics system that ensures the stability and reliability of temperature-sensitive products. In particular, with the global pandemic, there has been a significant increase in public interest in vaccine development, and interest in cold chain systems for safely storing and distributing manufactured vaccines has grown significantly.

[0003] With growing global interest in the cold chain industry, research and development on vacuum-insulated boxes (containers) to implement this concept is actively underway. Efforts are underway to develop high-performance containers capable of safely maintaining environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, within refrigerated / freezed containers, ensuring a fresh and safe environment for products sensitive to environmental factors like temperature and humidity during logistics and distribution.

[0004] Due to their specific characteristics, certain products require strict maintenance of storage temperatures within a specific range during distribution and storage. For example, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, blood, and food products, whose properties irreversibly change above or below a certain critical temperature, require strict storage within a predetermined target temperature range.

[0005] In response to the need for strict temperature management, interest has recently been increasing in vacuum insulated boxes that include monitoring devices that enable effective product management by sensing the storage temperature in real time or at preset intervals during the logistics process and providing the sensing information to users or managers.

[0006] In this regard, for the accurate measurement and stable operation of a device for monitoring temperature within a vacuum insulation box, the sensor must be placed internally, the main body (electronic device) for providing the user with information sensed by the sensor must be placed externally, and the cable connecting the sensor and the main body must pass through the vacuum insulation box. This structure may be vulnerable to thermal bridging, making it difficult to maintain airtightness within the vacuum insulation box. Therefore, the development of a novel design structure capable of resolving this issue is necessary.

[0007] [Related technical literature]

[0008] (Patent Document 1) KR 10-2557078 B1

[0009] (Patent Document 2) KR 10-2531641 B1

[0010] The present invention is intended to solve the aforementioned problem, and provides a vacuum insulated box that can secure convenience of management and reliability of received goods during the logistics process by having a monitoring device capable of sensing and monitoring environmental information within an insulated space.

[0011] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a vacuum insulation box having a structure capable of preventing thermal bridges while including a monitoring device and guiding the installation location and extension path of a cable penetrating the inside and outside of an insulation space.

[0012] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a vacuum insulation box having improved insulation efficiency by forming an insulation space using an insulation panel including a reinforcing member, thereby preventing damage to vacuum insulation that may occur during logistics stacking, and by applying a novel design structure of a reinforcing member that can reduce the occurrence of thermal bridges.

[0013] The technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the detailed description of the invention below.

[0014] A vacuum insulation box according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a case; a VIP (Vacuum Insulation Panel) assembly including an upper insulation panel, a lower insulation panel, and side insulation panels, which are accommodated in the case and provide an insulation space for stacking items; a packing member interposed between an upper surface of at least one of the side insulation panels and an inner surface of the upper insulation panel; and a monitoring device including a sensing unit for sensing preset information within the insulation space, a main body unit disposed outside the case and providing the preset information to a user, and a cable connecting the sensing unit and the main body unit. The packing member may include a mounting unit that opens at least a portion of the insulation space and guides a mounting position and an extension path of the cable.

[0015] Any one of the above side insulation panels may further include an auxiliary anchoring portion formed corresponding to the lower portion of the anchoring portion and extending along the extension direction of the anchoring portion to provide an anchoring space for the cable.

[0016] The case may include an upper case and a lower case that are detachably connected. The lower case may include a lower base body; lower extension bodies extending upward from an edge of the lower base body; and a rib extending upward from an upper surface of the lower extension bodies. The rib may include a guide portion that guides the seating position and extension path of the cable.

[0017] The above-mentioned fixing portion can be positioned with a predetermined interval shifted along one direction with respect to the above-mentioned guide portion.

[0018] The upper case may include an upper base body; upper extension bodies extending downward from an edge of the upper base body and having an inner surface facing an outer surface of the rib; and one of the upper extension bodies may cover one end of the guide portion.

[0019] Any one of the lower extension bodies may further include a receiving portion in which the main body is mounted. The rib may further include an auxiliary guide portion extending from one end of the guide portion toward the receiving portion and in which the cable is mounted.

[0020] The rib may include a sealing groove that is formed by being recessed downward from the upper surface of the rib by a certain width and intersecting with the extension direction of the guide portion. The upper case may include a sealing protrusion that extends downward from the upper base body and is provided to be drawn into and drawn out of the sealing groove in response to the opening and closing operations of the lower case and the upper case.

[0021] At least one of the insulating panels, including an upper insulating panel, a lower insulating panel, and side insulating panels, may include a vacuum insulating material having an inner surface defined by a first region and a second region contacting an adjacent insulating panel outside the first region; and a reinforcing member disposed in the first region and not disposed in the second region.

[0022] The present invention has the advantage of ensuring convenience of management and reliability of received goods during the logistics process by providing a monitoring device capable of sensing and monitoring environmental information within an insulated space.

[0023] In addition, the present invention has an advantage in that it can prevent thermal bridges that may occur due to the structure by providing a novel sealing means while including a monitoring device and having a structure for guiding the installation location and extension path of a cable penetrating the inside and outside of an insulated space.

[0024] In addition, the present invention has the advantage of being able to prevent damage to vacuum insulation material that may occur during logistics stacking by forming an insulation space using an insulation panel including a reinforcing member, and significantly improving insulation efficiency by applying a novel design structure of the reinforcing member.

[0025] The effects that can be obtained from the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vacuum insulation box including a monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a vacuum insulation box including a monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of a case according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining the structure and assembly method of the lower case according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining the structure and assembly method of a vacuum panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining the structure of a packing member and a mounting portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Fig. 7 is a drawing for explaining the positional relationship of the guide part and the mounting part according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Hereinafter, in describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, detailed descriptions of related known technologies will be omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification. In addition, the attached drawings are only intended to facilitate easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical concepts disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0034] Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0035] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

[0036] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0037] In this application, terms such as “include” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the specification, but should be understood not to exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0038] In describing embodiments of the present invention, it is obvious that terms indicating directions such as up-down direction, front-back direction, left-right direction, thickness direction, width direction, and length direction are only intended to present relative standards for describing embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to specify any direction or position on an absolute basis, and may relatively vary depending on the position of the target object, the position of the observer, the view direction, etc.

[0039] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vacuum insulation box including a monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a vacuum insulation box including a monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of a case according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining the structure and assembly method of a lower case according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining the structure and assembly method of a vacuum panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining the structure of a packing member and a mounting portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining the positional relationship of a guide portion and a mounting portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] A vacuum insulation box (10) including a monitoring device according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as a "vacuum insulation box") may be a box capable of accommodating goods while maintaining a temperature within a preset target temperature range. The vacuum insulation box (10) according to the present invention may be used in a cold chain system that maintains the quality of fresh goods, such as pharmaceuticals and agricultural and marine products, by maintaining the temperature within a preset target temperature range during the process of storage and transportation from production to the final consumption point.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a vacuum insulation box (10) according to the present invention provides an internal space for accommodating an article, and may include a case (200), a VIP (Vacuum Insulation Panel) assembly (300), a packing member (400), a temperature maintaining member (500), and a monitoring device (600) to maintain the environment of the internal space at a preset condition.

[0042] The case (200) can determine the outer shape of the vacuum insulation box (10). The case (200) may have a hexahedral shape, but is not limited thereto, and may have various outer shapes selected in consideration of the internal space required during the logistics process, the characteristics of the items accommodated in the vacuum insulation box (10), and / or the usage environment of the vacuum insulation box (10). The case (200) can perform the function of protecting the components and items accommodated therein. The case (200) may be formed of any one of EPP (Expanded Polypropylene), EPS (Expanded Polystyrene), XPS (Extruded Polystyrene), glass wool, cellulose, and polyurethane insulation, but is not limited thereto.

[0043] The case (200) may include a lower case (210) and an upper case (250) that are provided so as to be detachable and assembleable according to the user's intention in order to ensure convenience of loading / unloading and assembling goods. The lower case (210) may include a lower internal space that is open toward the upper side. The upper case (250) may include an upper internal space that is open toward the lower side. The upper case (250) may be provided so that the connection and disconnection with the lower case (210) can be repeatedly performed in order to open and close the lower internal space provided in the lower case (210).

[0044] The lower case (210) may include a lower base body (211) and lower extension bodies (213a, 213b, 213c, 213d) extending upward from an edge of the lower base body (211), respectively. The upper case (250) may include an upper base body (251) and upper extension bodies (253) extending downward from an edge of the upper base body (251), respectively. The upper case (250) may be detachably fitted into the lower case (210).

[0045] At least one of the lower extension bodies (213a, 213b, 213c, 213d) may include a receiving portion (220) in which the main body (620) of the monitoring device (600) is received. The receiving portion (220) may be a portion for mounting the main body (620) of the monitoring device (600) on the lower case (210) for the convenience of the user. The receiving portion (220) may have a shape that allows the main body (620) to be mounted, but is easy to insert and withdraw. The receiving portion (220) may be provided to open the extension direction of a cable (630) that is connected to at least the main body (620) and extends into the lower internal space.

[0046] The lower case (210) may include a rib (rib, 230). The rib (230) may be formed on the upper surfaces of the lower extension bodies (213a, 213b, 213c, 213d) and may be a portion extending upward. The rib (230) may be provided so that the outer surface faces the inner surface of the upper extension bodies (253) when the lower case (210) and the upper case (250) are fitted together. The lower case (210) and the upper case (250) may be maintained in a fixed state in which the outer surface of the rib (230) and the inner surface of the upper extension bodies (253) are in contact with each other in a mutually fitted state, and when a predetermined external force is applied, the coupling may be released and separated.

[0047] The rib (230) may include a guide portion (240) formed in a preset guide area. The guide area may be defined as an area in which the cable (630) of the monitoring device (600) extends, and the guide portion (240) may be defined as a portion that guides the mounting position of the cable (630) and the extension path of the cable (630). The guide portion (240) may have a groove shape that penetrates the rib (230) along the thickness direction to open an internal space, and may be recessed downward from the upper surface of the rib (230) by a certain width, or may have a hole shape that is closed in the vertical direction.

[0048] The rib (230) may further include an auxiliary guide portion (241) extending from one end of the guide portion (240). The auxiliary guide portion (241) may be formed to extend in the width direction on the outer surface of the rib (230). The auxiliary guide portion (241) may be defined as a portion that auxiliary guides the mounting position of the cable (630) of the monitoring device (600) and the extension path of the cable (630). One end of the auxiliary guide portion (241) may extend toward the receiving portion (220) that receives the main body (620) of the monitoring device (600).

[0049] The length of the guide part (240) and the auxiliary guide part (241) in the longitudinal direction may correspond to the thickness of the cable (630). The guide part (240) and the auxiliary guide part (241) may be arranged so that the inner circumference is in close contact with the outer circumference of the cable (630) when the cable (630) is installed. Preferably, the cable (630) is fitted into the guide part (240) and the auxiliary guide part (241) so that it can remain fixed to the guide part (240) and the auxiliary guide part (241) unless a predetermined external force is applied.

[0050] The guide portion (240) and the auxiliary guide portion (241) may be covered by the upper extension body (253) of the upper case (250). This may mean that, in some cases, a thermal bridge path that may occur by the guide portion (240) and the auxiliary guide portion (241) may be blocked by the upper extension body (253) of the upper case (250).

[0051] The case (200) may further include an auxiliary sealing means to more effectively maintain the sealing of the internal space. The auxiliary sealing means may prevent thermal bridges that may occur between the rib (230) and the upper case (250). To this end, the auxiliary sealing means may include a combined structure of an airtight groove (243) formed in the rib (230) and an airtight protrusion (255) formed in the upper case (250).

[0052] The airtight groove (243) extends along the length of the rib (230) and may be formed by being recessed downward from the upper surface of the rib (230) by a certain width. The airtight groove (243) may be formed to extend intersecting the extension direction of the guide portion (240). The cable (630) of the monitoring device (600) may be secured to the guide portion (240) and extend along the extension path, but at least a portion of the cable (630) may be secured to a portion of the airtight groove (243).

[0053] The airtight protrusion (255) may extend downward from the upper base body (251). The airtight protrusion (255) may be provided so as to be withdrawable and retractable into the airtight groove (243) in response to the opening and closing operations of the lower case (210) and the upper case (250). The airtight protrusion (255) may be provided so as to be insertable into the airtight groove (243), but is not limited thereto. The airtight protrusion (255) may be positioned between the upper extension body (253) and the side surface of the upper insulation panel (315) fixed to the upper base body (251), and may be formed so as to be spaced inwardly from the upper extension body (253) by a predetermined distance.

[0054] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the airtightness of the insulation space can be maintained more stably by blocking a thermal bridge path that may occur by the guide portion (240) in some cases through the combined structure of the airtight groove (243) and the airtight protrusion (255).

[0055] The vacuum insulation box (10) may further include an outer case (100). The outer case (100) may be arranged to surround the case (200) from the outside. The outer case (100) may include a cover for accommodating the case (200) and a lid for opening and closing the cover. The cover and the lid may be detachably fastened in a zipper manner, but are not limited thereto. The cover and the lid may be fastened to each other to provide a predetermined pressure to the case (200) so as to maintain airtightness in a closed state of the upper case (250) and the lower case (210). The outer case (100) may include a transparent portion provided corresponding to the receiving portion (220) of the case (200). The transparent portion may be a portion that allows the main body (620) of the monitoring device (600) accommodated in the receiving portion (220) to be recognized from the outside.

[0056] Referring further to FIGS. 4 and 5, the VIP assembly (300) may include a plurality of insulating panels (311, 313, 315) that are mutually coupled to form an insulating space therein. For example, the plurality of insulating panels (311, 313, 315) may include an upper insulating panel (315), a lower insulating panel (311), a first side insulating panel (313a), a second side insulating panel (313b), a third side insulating panel (313c), and a fourth side insulating panel (313d).

[0057] The upper insulation panel (315) can be accommodated and fixed in the upper internal space of the upper case (250). The lower insulation panel (311), the first side insulation panel (313a), the second side insulation panel (313b), the third side insulation panel (313c), and the fourth side insulation panel (313d) provide an insulating space open toward the top and can be accommodated in the lower internal space of the lower case (210). The lower insulation panel (311), the first side insulation panel (313a), the second side insulation panel (313b), the third side insulation panel (313c), and the fourth side insulation panel (313d) can be mutually fixed by at least one fixing means. The fixing means may be, but is not limited to, an EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) double-sided tape with an insulating function.

[0058] The upper insulation panel (315) can maintain airtightness by closing the insulation space when the case (200) is closed, and can release the airtightness by opening the insulation space when the case (200) is open. The closed state of the case (200) may mean a state in which the lower case (210) and the upper case (250) are combined, and the open state of the case (200) may mean a state in which the lower case (210) and the upper case (250) are separated.

[0059] The insulation panel (311, 313, 315) may include a vacuum insulation material (320) and a reinforcing member (330).

[0060] The vacuum insulator (320) is intended to prevent heat loss and inflow to the outside, and may have a structure in which a core material having heat insulation performance is wrapped with an outer covering (or skin material) to form a vacuum. The core material may include, but is not limited to, one or more materials having low thermal conductivity, such as organic fibers, inorganic fibers, powders, and foam insulation, and may have a single-layer or two or more multi-layer structures. The outer covering material may be made of, but is not limited to, a composite plastic laminate film having excellent gas barrier properties, and any material that is manufactured in a film form to prevent gas and moisture penetration and maintain a vacuum state to perform the function of protecting the core material may be applied. Since the vacuum insulator (320) may be a known product, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0061] The reinforcing member (330) can reinforce the rigidity of the vacuum insulator (320) and perform a protective function of preventing damage to the vacuum insulator (320) due to external impact, etc. For example, the reinforcing member (330) can prevent damage to the vacuum insulator (320) by goods during the storage and shipment of goods in the vacuum insulator box (10), thereby preventing a decrease in insulation efficiency due to damage to the vacuum insulator (320). The reinforcing member (330) may be any one of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), and acrylic, but is not limited thereto. It may be preferable that the reinforcing member (330) be formed of a material having a predetermined transparency so that defects and damage to the vacuum insulator (320) can be checked from the outside.

[0062] The reinforcing member (330) may be disposed at least on the inner surface of the vacuum insulation material (320). The inner surface of the vacuum insulation material (320) may include a first region (321) and a second region (323) defined on the outer side of the first region (321). Preferably, the first region (321) may be defined as a central region of the inner surface, and the second region (323) may be defined as an outer edge region of the first region (321). The second region (323) may be defined as a region corresponding to a portion where neighboring insulation panels (311, 313, 315) contact each other when assembling the VIP assembly (300).

[0063] For example, the lower insulation panel (311) can be assembled with a first side insulation panel (313a), a second side insulation panel (313b), a third side insulation panel (313c), and a fourth side insulation panel (313d) to provide an insulation space open toward the top. The edges of the inner surface of the lower insulation panel (311) can be in contact with the lower surface of the first side insulation panel (313a), the lower surface of the second side insulation panel (313b), the lower surface of the third side insulation panel (313c), and the lower surface of the fourth side insulation panel (313d), respectively. A first region (321) and a second region (323) can be defined on the inner surface of the vacuum insulation material (320) constituting the lower insulation panel (311). The first region (321) can be defined as a portion where a reinforcing member (330) is arranged. The second region (323) is a portion that is in contact with the lower surface of the first side insulation panel (313a), the lower surface of the second side insulation panel (313b), the lower surface of the third side insulation panel (313c), and the lower surface of the fourth side insulation panel (313d), and can be defined as an area where the reinforcing member (330) is not placed.

[0064] The vacuum insulation material (320) and the reinforcing member (330) can be fixed to each other through a bonding member (340). The bonding member (340) may be a tape, and preferably, a tape selected from among filament tape, oriented polypropylene (OPP) tape, waterproof tape, foam tape, and paper tape, but is not limited thereto. The bonding member (340) may preferably be selected from a tape having excellent adhesiveness, strength, and low extensibility. The bonding member (340) may be attached corresponding to the edge of the reinforcing member (330) and the second region (323) of the vacuum insulation material (320), thereby fixing the reinforcing member (330) on the first region (321) of the vacuum insulation material (320). If necessary, the bonding member (340) may be attached corresponding to the edge of the reinforcing member (330) and the second region (323) of the vacuum insulator (320), and may be extended to cover at least a portion of the side and outer surface of the vacuum insulator (320). Although not shown, if necessary, an adhesive layer interposed between the vacuum insulator (320) and the reinforcing member (330) may be further included to secure the vacuum insulator (320) and the reinforcing member (330). In this case, the adhesive layer may be arranged corresponding to the first region (321) of the inner surface of the vacuum insulator (320).

[0065] When assembling the VIP assembly (300), if the reinforcing member (330) is positioned at the part where the neighboring insulation panels (311, 313, 315) meet, a thermal bridge to the outside may occur through the reinforcing member (330). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcing member (330) is not positioned at the part where the neighboring insulation panels (311, 313, 315) meet, thereby preventing a decrease in insulation efficiency due to the thermal bridge. In addition, if the vacuum insulation material (320) and the reinforcing member (330) are fixed only by an adhesive interposed between the two, the reinforcing member (330) may be lifted from the vacuum insulation material (320) at the edge over time, which may reduce the insulation efficiency. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is to prevent the reinforcing member (330) from being positioned at the portion where adjacent insulation panels (311, 313, 315) come into contact, and to fix the edges of the vacuum insulation material (320) and the reinforcing member (330) through the bonding member (340), thereby significantly improving the reduction in insulation efficiency due to lifting of the reinforcing member (330).

[0066] Referring further to FIGS. 6 and 7, the packing member (400) may be interposed between the upper surface of at least one of the side insulation panels (311, 313, 315) and the inner surface of the upper insulation panel (315). Preferably, the packing member (400) may be positioned corresponding to the area where each of the side insulation panels (313) and the upper insulation panel (315) are in contact. The packing member (400) may be fixed to at least one of the upper surface of the side insulation panels (313) and the inner surface of the upper insulation panel (315). If necessary, the packing member (400) may include both a first packing member (400) fixed to the upper surface of the side insulation panel (313) and a second packing member (400) fixed to the inner surface of the upper insulation panel (315), and the first packing member (400) and the second packing member (400) may be arranged to make surface contact with each other when the VIP assembly (300) is closed. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a case in which the packing member (400) is fixed to the upper surface of the side insulation panel (313) will be described as an example. The packing member (400) may be a foam tape, but is not limited thereto. The foam tape may be selected from a material having excellent insulation, flexibility, and shock absorption properties, such as polyurethane foam, urea foam, polyethylene foam, and polystyrene foam.

[0067] The packing member (400) may be provided to more effectively block thermal bridges when the VIP assembly (300) is closed. When the VIP assembly (300) is closed, the packing member (400) may maintain a state in which the lower surface is in surface contact with the upper surface of the side insulation panels (313) and the upper surface is in surface contact with at least a portion of the inner surface of the upper insulation panel (315).

[0068] The packing member (400) can perform the function of flattening the upper surface of the side insulation panel (313). The vacuum insulation material (320) constituting the insulation panels (311, 313, 315) is formed in a form of wrapping the core material with an outer covering material. However, due to a problem in the process, the flatness of the side surface (cut surface) of the core material may be reduced, and thus wrinkles may occur in the outer covering material. This may mean that a thermal bridge due to wrinkles in the outer covering material, etc., may occur between the upper insulation panel (315) and the side insulation panel (313). The packing member (400) has the advantage of being able to more effectively prevent a decrease in insulation efficiency by flattening the upper surface of the side insulation panel (313).

[0069] The packing member (400) may include a mounting portion (410) formed in a preset guide area. The guide area may be defined as an area in which the cable (630) of the monitoring device (600) extends, and the mounting portion (410) may be defined as a portion for determining the mounting position of the cable (630) and guiding the extension path of the cable (630). The mounting portion (410) may be formed by penetrating the packing member (400) along the thickness direction to open the inside, or may be formed by removing the packing member (400) in the width direction, or may be formed by recessing the packing member (400) downward by a certain width from the upper surface thereof.

[0070] The length of the anchoring portion (410) in the longitudinal direction may correspond to the thickness of the cable (630). The anchoring portion (410) may be arranged so that, when the cable (630) is anchored, the inner circumference is in close contact with the outer circumference of the cable (630) by a predetermined elasticity. Preferably, the cable (630) is fitted into the anchoring portion (410) and can remain fixed to the anchoring portion (410) unless a predetermined external force is applied.

[0071] The planar shape of the anchoring portion (410) may correspond to the extension path of the cable (630). For example, the anchoring portion (410) may extend in one direction along the thickness direction. As another example, the anchoring portion (410) may include a bending portion (410a) that is bent at least once. This may mean that thermal bridges that may occur through the anchoring portion (410) may be relatively limited. That is, the anchoring portion (410) may be formed so that one end and the other end are open toward the outside and the inside, respectively, but may be formed to include at least one bending section along the extension direction, which may mean that a long thermal bridge path that may occur may be secured in some cases.

[0072] The upper surface of at least one of the side insulation panels (313) may further include an auxiliary anchoring portion (317). The auxiliary anchoring portion (317) may be formed corresponding to the lower side of the anchoring portion (410). The auxiliary anchoring portion (317) may be provided by being recessed downward from the upper surface of the side insulation panel (313) by a certain width. The auxiliary anchoring portion (317) may be connected to the anchoring portion (410) in the width direction. The auxiliary anchoring portion (317) may extend corresponding to the extension direction of the anchoring portion (410).

[0073] The auxiliary anchoring portion (317) can provide a anchoring space for the cable (630) of the monitoring device (600) together with the anchoring portion (410). From a thermal bridge perspective, it may be desirable for the cable (630) to be anchored in the anchoring portion (410) so as not to protrude above the packing member (400). For example, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the thickness of the packing member (400) is set thin, the auxiliary anchoring portion (317) can be further formed in an area corresponding to the anchoring portion (410), thereby preventing the cable (630) from protruding outside the upper surface of the packing member (400).

[0074] The anchoring portion (410) may be positioned with a predetermined distance shifted in one direction with respect to the guide portion (240). Preferably, the anchoring portion (410) may be positioned with a predetermined distance shifted downward with respect to the guide portion (240). That is, the anchoring portion (410) may not be in communication with the guide portion (240). This may mean that a thermal bridge path that may occur due to the anchoring portion (410) may be blocked as one end of the anchoring portion (410) is blocked by the rib (230).

[0075] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the airtightness of the vacuum insulation box (10) can be more stably maintained by the arrangement relationship between the mounting portion (410), the guide portion (240), and the upper extension body (253) of the upper case (250). That is, the thermal bridge path along the extension direction of the mounting portion (410) can be blocked by arranging it so as not to be in direct communication with the guide portion (240), and the thermal bridge path along the extension direction of the guide portion (240) can be blocked by the upper extension body (253) of the upper case (250).

[0076] The temperature maintaining member (500) may be accommodated in the VIP assembly (300) and may perform a function of maintaining the temperature inside the insulated space within a target temperature range. The temperature maintaining member (500) may include a phase change material (PCM) that absorbs and releases heat and undergoes a phase change at a certain temperature. The temperature maintaining member (500) may be provided in multiple pieces. Preferably, the temperature maintaining member (500) may include an upper PCM panel, a lower PCM panel, a first side PCM panel, a second side PCM panel, a third side PCM panel, and a fourth side PCM panel, which are detachably assembled from each other to form a space for accommodating an item therein.

[0077] The monitoring device (600) may be a device that provides the user with information sensed by the sensing unit (610). The monitoring device (600) may be a device that senses the internal environment of the VIP assembly (300) and / or at least one preset status information of the product in real time and / or at preset intervals during the process of transporting the product through the vacuum insulation box (10) and provides the user with the information. The monitoring device (600) may be a data logger, but is not limited thereto.

[0078] The monitoring device (600) may include a sensing unit (610), a main body (620), and a cable (630) connecting the sensing unit (610) and the main body (620).

[0079] The sensing unit (610) may include at least one sensor. The sensing unit (610) may be a probe-type sensor. The sensing unit (610) may be arranged in the internal space of the VIP assembly (300) and sense environmental information of the internal space and / or status information of items accommodated in the internal space. For example, the sensing unit (610) may be at least one of a temperature sensor for sensing temperature, a humidity sensor for sensing humidity, and an impact sensor for sensing impact due to external force, but is not limited thereto. That is, the sensing unit (610) may include a sensor pre-selected in response to environmental information that a manager wishes to sense during the logistics process.

[0080] The main body (620) is positioned outside the case (200) and can provide information sensed through the sensing unit (310) to the user. The main body (620) includes at least one output unit and can provide the sensed status information to the user. The output unit may be configured as a visual notification means such as a display, an auditory notification means such as a speaker, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

[0081] The main body (620) may include a memory unit that stores sensed status information and a history of the logistics process including the sensed status information. The main body (620) may include a power supply unit that supplies power for driving the monitoring device (600). The power supply unit may receive power from an external source or include an energy storage device such as a battery. If necessary, the monitoring device (600) may further include a communication unit, and the communication unit may transmit sensing information to an administrator, such as an administrator's terminal.

[0082] The cable (630) can electrically connect the sensing unit (610) and the main body (620). The sensing unit (610) and the main body (620) can transmit / receive preset signals and information through the cable (630). For example, the sensing unit (610) can be driven in response to a control signal of the main body (620) received through the cable (630), and the main body (620) can obtain sensed information from the sensing unit (610) through the cable (630).

[0083] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, the above detailed description should not be construed as limiting in any respect, but rather as illustrative. The scope of the present invention should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the scope of equivalents of the present invention are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. Case; A VIP (Vacuum Insulation Panel) assembly, which is accommodated within the case and includes an upper insulation panel, a lower insulation panel, and side insulation panels that provide an insulating space for storing goods; A packing member interposed between the upper surface of at least one of the side insulation panels and the inner surface of the upper insulation panel; and A monitoring device comprising a sensing unit that senses preset information within the insulating space, a main body that is positioned outside the case and provides the preset information to a user, and a cable connecting the sensing unit and the main body, The above packing member, Opening at least a portion of the above insulation space, and including a mounting portion that guides the mounting position and extension path of the cable. A vacuum insulated box containing a monitoring device.

2. In paragraph 1, Any one of the above side insulation panels, It further includes an auxiliary anchoring portion formed corresponding to the lower portion of the anchoring portion and extending along the extension direction of the anchoring portion to provide an anchoring space for the cable. A vacuum insulated box containing a monitoring device.

3. In paragraph 1, The above case includes an upper case and a lower case that are detachably connected, The above lower case, A lower base body; lower extension bodies extending upward from an edge of the lower base body; and ribs extending upward from an upper surface of the lower extension bodies; The above ribs, Including a guide part that guides the installation position and extension path of the above cable, A vacuum insulated box containing a monitoring device.

4. In paragraph 3, The above-mentioned fixing part is, Positioned with a predetermined interval shift along one direction with respect to the above guide section, A vacuum insulated box containing a monitoring device.

5. In paragraph 4, The above upper case, An upper base body; comprising upper extension bodies extending downward from an edge of the upper base body, the inner side of which faces the outer side of the rib when the upper case and the lower case are coupled; Any one of the above upper extension bodies, Covering one end of the above guide section, A vacuum insulated box containing a monitoring device.

6. In paragraph 5, Any one of the above lower extension bodies, The above body further includes a receiving portion in which it is mounted, The above ribs, Further including an auxiliary guide portion extending from one end of the guide portion toward the receiving portion and on which the cable is secured. A vacuum insulated box containing a monitoring device.

7. In paragraph 5, The above ribs, It includes a sealing groove that is provided by being sunken downward from the upper surface of the rib by a certain width and is provided to intersect with the extension direction of the guide portion. The above upper case, It includes a sealing projection that extends downward from the upper base body and is provided to be withdrawable and retractable into the sealing groove in response to the opening and closing operations of the lower case and the upper case. A vacuum insulated box containing a monitoring device.

8. In paragraph 1, At least one of the insulation panels, including the upper insulation panel, the lower insulation panel, and the side insulation panels, A vacuum insulation material having an inner surface defined by a first region and a second region contacting an adjacent insulation panel outside the first region; and Including a reinforcing member disposed in the first region and not disposed in the second region, A vacuum insulated box containing a monitoring device.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Dry ice cold chain heat preservation box

    CN210479596U

  • Medical cold chain incubator

    CN212638540U

  • Multiplex heat insulated container with temperature sensor

    JP2004042995A

  • Insulation Package Box

    KR102384382B1

  • Improved insulated shipping container

    WO1998043028A1