Cold Insulation Container with Thermoelectric Self-Powered Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cold insulation containers for transporting chilled and frozen products require pre-freezing of cold storage agents and consume significant power, either from commercial power supplies or battery power, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A cold insulation container equipped with a coolant vessel, a thermoelectric generating module on its outer surface, and a temperature controller, which uses the temperature difference between the coolant and circulating air to generate self-powered electric energy for driving the temperature controller and circulating air fan, maintaining a constant temperature without external power sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a cold storage device with a circulating fan is used to maintain uniform temperature, then temperature uniformity is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cold storage device uses its own cold storage agent to generate electricity through the thermoelectric generating module. The temperature difference between the cold storage agent and the ambient environment drives the thermoelectric module to generate power, which automatically drives the circulating fan. This self-powered system eliminates the need for external power sources while maintaining temperature uniformity through continuous air circulation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a thermoelectric generating module is attached to the coolant vessel to generate self-powered electric energy, then power consumption from external sources is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermoelectric generating module serves multiple functions: it generates electricity from the temperature difference to power the circulating fan, and simultaneously acts as a heat exchange component between the cold storage agent and the ambient environment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate power generation and heat exchange systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving self-powered operation.
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 configuration allows for effective and efficient cooling of the container by self-generated electric power, reducing power consumption and operational costs while maintaining a uniform and constant temperature during transportation.
Implementation Method 1
A temperature difference between the coolant vessel and circulating cold air in the cold insulation storage causes the temperature controller and the circulating air fan to be driven by thermoelectric power generated by the thermoelectric generating module
Data Source
AI summary
A cold insulation container includes: a cold insulation storage including a coolant vessel; a circulating air fan that causes cold air from the coolant vessel to circulate in the cold insulation storage; a thermoelectric generating module attached to an outer surface of the coolant vessel; and a temperature controller that adjusts a temperature in the cold insulation storage. A temperature difference between the coolant vessel and circulating cold air in the cold insulation storage causes the temperature controller and the circulating air fan to be driven by thermoelectric power generated by the thermoelectric generating module.