Battery-powered portable cooler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable coolers lack efficient and portable refrigeration systems that can maintain low temperatures without reliance on external power sources, and do not provide advanced temperature control or additional cooling methods.
Innovation Solution
A battery-powered portable cooler with a refrigeration system comprising a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator coils, along with a fan for forced convection and a mister for increased cooling surface area, controlled by an electronic control unit that manages temperature regulation and power states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a refrigeration system is added to a portable cooler, then cooling capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cooling functions (refrigeration system, evaporative cooling, and forced convection) into a single integrated portable cooler unit. The refrigeration system integrates the compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator coils as one cohesive assembly, while the evaporative cooling system integrates the mister and water reservoir. This merging approach allows the device to achieve superior cooling capability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable cooler is designed with multi-functionality to address various cooling needs. The refrigeration system provides active mechanical cooling, the evaporative cooling system provides passive cooling through water misting, and the fan provides forced convection. This universal design allows the device to maintain low temperatures through multiple mechanisms, improving cooling capability while distributing the complexity across different functional subsystems.
2Ease of operation
If battery power is used instead of external power sources, then portability is improved, but energy capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The portable cooler employs dynamic power management through the electronic control unit that monitors battery power levels and adjusts system operation accordingly. The controller can modulate the compressor runtime, fan speed, and mister operation to optimize energy consumption. This dynamic approach allows the device to maintain portability through battery power while managing energy capacity requirements by adapting power consumption to available battery levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigeration system operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously, with the compressor cycling on and off based on temperature sensors and battery power levels. The evaporative cooling system similarly operates periodically, activating the mister and fan only when needed. This periodic operation reduces average power consumption, enabling the use of battery power while maintaining effective cooling capability.
3Productivity
If evaporative cooling and forced convection are added, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges evaporative cooling and forced convection systems into the portable cooler unit. The mister system distributes water as fine droplets for evaporative cooling, while the fan system provides forced air circulation. These two cooling mechanisms work synergistically - the evaporation of water droplets absorbs heat from the air, and the forced convection distributes the cooled air throughout the cooler compartment. This merging improves cooling efficiency while consolidating the added complexity into integrated subsystems controlled by a single electronic control unit.
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
Provides efficient temperature control and cooling capabilities using battery power, with optional remote DC power, and includes features for rapid cooling and misting to enhance cooling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator including evaporator coils at least partly surrounding the tub to conductively cool the contents of the tub
Implementation Method 2
The fan is controlled by the electronic control unit and is operable to generate a cooling airflow by forced convection within the tub
Implementation Method 3
The mister draws water from a bottom of the tub and sprays a water mist into the tub to increase a surface area of the contents in contact with the water
Implementation Method 4
a refrigeration system including a compressor located in the cooling compartment, a condenser located in the cooling compartment, an expansion valve located in the cooling compartment
Data Source
AI summary
A battery-powered portable cooler includes a main body with a tub for receiving contents, a cooling compartment, and insulation at least partly surrounding the tub. A lid opens and closes to selectively provide access to the tub. A wheel supports the main body on a support surface. A refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion valve, all located in the cooling compartment, and an evaporator including evaporator coils at least partly surrounding the tub to conductively cool the contents of the tub. An electronic control unit is operably connected to a user interface to receive input from the user interface and control operation of the refrigeration system. A battery pack mates with a battery receptacle along a battery insertion axis in a direction toward the tub. The battery pack provides electrical power to the electronic control unit, the user interface, and the refrigeration system.