Refrigerated Container Docking Closure for Low Heat Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerated containers and cooling stations face challenges in minimizing heat loss when undocked and in efficiently managing the docking process, leading to energy inefficiencies and user-friendliness issues.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a container with a closure element that automatically moves between open and closed positions for docking points, using a rotatable or gravity-activated mechanism, and a cooling station with a multi-phase refrigerant like binary ice for efficient cooling, allowing for precise temperature control and reduced energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the container is docked to the cooling station with open docking points, then cooling efficiency is improved, but heat loss increases when undocked
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element is positioned in advance to cover the docking point before the container is fully docked or undocked. This preliminary action prevents heat loss during the transition phase when the container is partially connected, without interfering with the docking operation itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure element is extracted as a separate component that can independently cover the docking point. This allows the docking point to remain structurally simple and easily accessible for docking operations, while the closure element provides thermal protection when needed.
2Loss of energy
If a closure element is added to close docking points, then heat loss is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element utilizes the existing docking motion itself to trigger its opening and closing. When the container approaches the cooling station, the docking point naturally pushes the closure element open; when undocked, gravity or a simple spring mechanism closes it automatically. This self-service approach minimizes additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A simple intermediary mechanism (such as a cam, lever, or spring-loaded flap) connects the docking motion to the closure element's opening/closing action. This intermediary translates the mechanical docking movement into the desired closure action without requiring complex control systems.
3Ease of operation
If manual operation of closure element is required, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element automatically responds to the docking state without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by using the docking motion to trigger closure opening and using gravity or spring force to close it when undocked, eliminating the need for manual operation while keeping the mechanism simple.
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 minimizes heat loss during undocking, enhances user-friendliness, and achieves energy-efficient cooling by using binary ice, which maintains optimal temperatures without the need for temperature regulation, allowing for efficient cooling of refrigerated goods.
Implementation Method 1
the closure element can be moved into a closed position by the action of gravity
Implementation Method 2
the cooler is designed as a heat exchanger that contains a multi-phase, free-flowing refrigerant on the cold side... the multi-phase refrigerant... can absorb heat from the circulating air flow and transform it into latent heat by melting part of the solid phase of the refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
the cooler is designed as a heat exchanger that contains a multi-phase, free-flowing refrigerant on the cold side
Data Source
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AI summary
A container (247) with a housing (248) surrounding a receiving space (252) for receiving refrigerated goods to be cooled, wherein the container can be docked to a cooling station and at least one first docking point (262) for discharging circulating air from the container and at least one second docking point (266) for supplying cooled circulating air to the container, which has a particularly low heat loss after undocking from the cooling station, it is proposed that the container have at least one closure element (284) for closing a docking point of the container when the container is undocked from the cooling station.