Adjustable height return air bulkhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing return air bulkheads in transportation refrigeration systems often have fixed heights, which can interfere with evaporators in trailers of varying sizes, leading to inadequate airflow and potential damage, as they may be too tall for low-cube trailers or too short for high-cube trailers, and can block air inlet openings.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable height return air bulkhead comprising a lower and upper section with meshingly engaging grooves allows for varying heights, ensuring proper airflow and protection by accommodating different trailer sizes, with features like air vents and spacers for airflow clearance and structural support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed height return air bulkhead is used, then the bulkhead provides structural protection and airflow management, but it cannot accommodate different trailer sizes (low-cube vs. high-cube trailers) and may interfere with the evaporator or block air inlet openings
Solution Approach 1:
The bulkhead is divided into multiple sections with different heights that can be selectively assembled. Each section has a uniform width but varying heights, allowing the system to be configured for different trailer types (low-cube, standard, high-cube) by choosing appropriate section combinations. This segmentation enables adaptability without requiring a completely different bulkhead design for each trailer size.
Solution Approach 2:
The bulkhead sections are designed with universal mounting features and consistent dimensions (width, depth) that allow them to be used across different trailer configurations. The same section design can be mounted in various positions and combinations to serve multiple trailer types, making the bulkhead system multi-functional and adaptable without increasing overall complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the bulkhead height is increased to protect the front wall, then coverage and protection are improved, but the bulkhead may block the evaporator air inlet openings and inhibit return air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The bulkhead is segmented into multiple sections of varying heights that can be selectively assembled. By choosing sections with appropriate heights for specific trailer configurations, the bulkhead provides maximum necessary protection while leaving sufficient clearance above the evaporator to prevent airflow blockage. The segmentation allows optimization of protection height without sacrificing air flow.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the bulkhead have different heights tailored to local requirements. The bulkhead height varies at different positions to provide adequate protection where needed while maintaining clearance for air flow where the evaporator is located. This local variation in height ensures both protection and proper airflow function.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the bulkhead is raised off the trailer floor to avoid blocking air return path, then airflow is improved, but a coverage gap is created that leaves the trailer interior front wall vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The bulkhead is divided into sections that can be mounted at different vertical positions. The lower section can be positioned to maintain contact with or near the trailer floor to provide continuous protection and prevent cargo damage, while the upper section provides additional height for air return clearance. This segmented approach allows simultaneous optimization of both protection coverage and air flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The bulkhead design transitions from a single-height structure to a multi-level segmented structure with varying heights. This dimensional change allows the bulkhead to simultaneously achieve floor-level coverage for protection and elevated sections for air return clearance, resolving the contradiction between coverage and airflow in the vertical dimension.
Data Source
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AI summary
In one aspect, a return air bulkhead (50) for a temperature controlled container (10) is provided. The bulkhead (50) includes a lower section (52) configured to couple to the container (10) and an upper section (54) separate from the lower section (52). The upper section (54) is configured to be adjustably coupled to the lower section (52) at varying heights relative to the lower section (52) such that a total height of the return air bulkhead (50) is adjustable.