Airflow Guidance Structure for Refrigerated Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerated transportation containers face challenges in providing efficient, consistent, and even cooling of goods due to limitations in airflow distribution and cooling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an airflow guidance structure within the refrigerated transport container, featuring a front panel section and additional panel sections that form a plenum at the ceiling, allows cooled air to be evenly distributed throughout the container, ensuring consistent cooling from the front to the back.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooled air is distributed throughout the container using conventional methods, then cooling is provided, but air velocity and temperature become inconsistent across the container
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow guidance structure is divided into multiple panel sections (front panel section and additional panel sections) that are affixed along the interior ceiling from front to back. Each panel section contains openings that distribute cooled air locally, ensuring uniform temperature and airflow velocity throughout the entire container space.
Solution Approach 2:
The airflow guidance structure acts as an intermediary component between the refrigeration unit and the goods. It receives cooled air from the refrigeration unit and systematically distributes it through multiple panel sections with openings, mediating the airflow to achieve consistent cooling across the container.
2Ease of operation
If panel sections are made with varying widths, then airflow distribution is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each panel section is designed with specific local characteristics - the front panel section has a first width and the additional panel sections have a second width that is less than the first width. This local variation in dimensions optimizes airflow distribution at different locations within the container while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances cooling efficiency by maintaining relatively constant air velocity and temperature across the container, providing even cooling and reducing the risk of temperature gradients that can affect the quality of perishable goods.
Implementation Method 1
Air in the container can be cooled by a refrigeration unit the serves the container
Implementation Method 2
an airflow guidance structure that forms a plenum at the ceiling of the container and that allows the cooled air to evenly exit the structure into the interior of the container
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerated transport container includes a refrigeration unit and an airflow guidance structure for distributing cooled air throughout the refrigerated transport container. The airflow guidance structure includes a front panel section that is affixed at a front end of an interior ceiling of the refrigerated transport container, and that receives cooled air from a fan outlet of the refrigeration unit. A series of additional panel sections are affixed along the interior ceiling of the refrigerated transport container from the front panel section to the back of the refrigerated transport container. The panel sections together form an air channel at the interior ceiling of the refrigerated transport container that conducts air from the front end to the back end, and allows for passage of cooled air from the air channel out to an interior of the refrigerated transport container.