Chest Freezer Cooling Layout With Removable Cold Accumulators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling devices for remote areas, particularly in developing countries, face challenges in providing a stable and continuous cold chain for medical products due to unreliable energy supplies, limited storage capacity, and environmental concerns related to auxiliary batteries, while also being bulky and heavy.
Innovation Solution
A compact cooling device design with a cooling element that incorporates a recess for removable cold accumulators and a heating element at the insulating container's end, allowing for efficient energy transfer and temperature control within the required range of +2° to +8°C, eliminating the need for auxiliary batteries and additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate cooling circuits are used for cold room and freezer room, then ice production capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cold room and freezer room into a single integrated cooling space with one cooling circuit. The evaporator serves both functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate cooling circuits while maintaining ice production capability through strategic placement of cooling elements
2Duration of action of stationary object
If auxiliary batteries are added for energy buffer, then operation during energy-free period is improved, but device complexity and environmental harm increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the refrigerated goods themselves as the energy buffer. The thermal mass of the stored goods maintains cooling during energy-free periods without requiring auxiliary batteries or additional energy storage components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes auxiliary batteries and related control components from the system, relying instead on the inherent thermal properties of the refrigerated goods and efficient insulation to maintain operation during energy interruptions
3Productivity
If freezer room is added for ice production, then storage capacity for medical products is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The single cooling space serves dual functions: storing medical products and producing ice packs. The removable cooling elements can be positioned to freeze water containers while simultaneously cooling medical products in the same space, maximizing space utilization
4Use of energy by moving object
If cooling element rests directly on evaporator, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but temperature control precision worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling element is designed with movable and adjustable positioning mechanisms, allowing dynamic adjustment of contact pressure and surface area with the evaporator. This enables optimization of heat transfer efficiency while maintaining precise temperature control through adjustable configurations
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
The solution provides extended storage capacity with uniform temperature control, reduces logistical and environmental issues, and ensures reliable operation during energy failures, while being compact and energy-efficient, thus addressing the limitations of prior art.
Implementation Method 1
a first side of the cooling element rests at least partially on the evaporator
Implementation Method 2
a second side of the cooling element faces the insulating container and the insulating container is closed at least towards the at least one cooling element
Implementation Method 3
an insulating container, wherein the evaporator and the cooling element are arranged within the cooling space
Data Source
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AI summary
Cooling apparatus (1), in particular a chest freezer (2), having a cooling circuit (3), a compressor (4), at least one evaporator (5) and a condenser (44), and a closable cooling chamber (6) with a plurality of cooling chamber side walls (7), a cooling chamber floor (8), at least one cooling element (9) and an insulating container (10). In the cooling apparatus (1), the evaporator (5) and the cooling element (9) are arranged within the cooling chamber (6) in such a way that the rear side of the cooling element (11) bears at least partially against the evaporator (5), and the front side of the cooling element (12) faces the insulating container (10), and the insulating container (10) is closed at least towards the at least one cooling element (9) and forms a chilled goods chamber (13). That rear side of the cooling element (11) which bears against the evaporator (5) has at least one cut-out (14), into which at least one removable refrigeration accumulator (15) can be inserted. At least one heating element (17) and at least one accumulator element (18) are preferably arranged in the region of the downwardly pointing end (16) of the insulating container (10).