Container-Based Environment Control for Flexible Cold Storage Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cold storage systems in material handling facilities are expensive, inflexible, and inefficient, requiring machinery to operate at cold temperatures and traverse between cold and ambient temperatures, necessitating a more flexible, efficient, and reliable environment control solution.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of container-based environment control systems that use insulated and non-insulated containers within a distribution network, where automated agents position and manage containers to couple and decouple with the network, allowing for precise control of temperature, humidity, and air flow, minimizing energy losses and enabling operation at ambient temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cold chambers are constructed around existing storage systems to control storage temperatures, then temperature control capability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the storage system into individual containers, each with independent environment control. Instead of one large cold chamber, multiple self-contained containers provide temperature control only where needed, reducing overall system complexity and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Environment control is applied locally to individual containers rather than globally to the entire storage system. Each container maintains its own temperature zone, allowing precise local control without affecting other areas, thus reducing unnecessary system complexity.
2Temperature
If cold chambers are constructed around existing storage systems to maintain cold chain, then temperature control capability is improved, but flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the storage system into independent containers, each container can be individually controlled and moved. This allows flexible reconfiguration of storage spaces and easy adaptation to different storage requirements without moving entire cold chambers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static cold chambers to dynamic containers that can be moved, repositioned, and reconfigured. Containers can traverse between ambient and cold environments, enabling flexible adaptation to changing storage needs while maintaining cold chain integrity.
3Temperature
If machinery operates at cold temperatures and traverses between cold and ambient temperatures, then cold chain maintenance is improved, but energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cold environment is extracted from the machinery and transferred to the containers themselves. Machinery operates at ambient temperatures while containers maintain cold environments, eliminating energy-wasting temperature transitions for moving equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
Insulated containers act as intermediaries that maintain cold environments without requiring the traversing machinery to operate in cold temperatures. The containers serve as portable cold zones that can be moved by ambient-temperature equipment, improving energy efficiency.
4Temperature
If cold chambers are constructed around existing storage systems, then temperature control is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the storage system into individual containers eliminates the need for expensive large-scale cold chamber construction. Each container is a smaller, more cost-effective unit that can be manufactured and deployed independently, reducing overall system cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses relatively simple, cost-effective container units rather than expensive permanent cold chamber structures. These containers can be easily manufactured, replaced, or upgraded without significant investment, reducing overall system cost.
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 provides flexible, efficient, and reliable environment control for individual containers, reducing energy losses and allowing automated machinery to operate at ambient temperatures, enhancing storage efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of sources may provide air flow having various environment attributes, e.g., various temperatures, humidities, pressures, air flow rates
Implementation Method 2
The one or more insulated containers may comprise input lines, associated input valves, output lines, and/or associated output valves that are configured to couple with the supply lines, associated supply valves, return lines, and/or associated return valves
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods to provide environment control to individual containers of a storage system may include a distribution network including one or more sources, distribution lines, valves, sensors, and storage positions. The distribution network may be operated to provide air flow having desired environment attributes to individual storage positions that include supply and/or return lines and associated valves. Insulated containers having input and/or output lines and associated valves may couple to the distribution network upon placement at the storage positions, thereby providing air flow with desired environment attributes to individual insulated containers and associated items. Further, non-insulated containers may also be placed at the storage positions of the storage system without connecting to the distribution network.