Container Freezer Air Inlet Layout for Moisture-Blocked Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing container refrigeration apparatuses face issues with moisture permeation into the unit case due to temperature differences and capillarity, leading to insulation failure and corrosion of electrical and metallic components, especially in marine environments where sea water can splash onto air-permeable unit cases.
Innovation Solution
The air inlet unit with a waterproof membrane filter is positioned above the unit case, and the air inlet unit is placed in a space above the condenser, which is a blowout side space to facilitate evaporation of any splashed water, reducing the likelihood of water permeation and corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the unit case is made airtight to prevent moisture permeation, then reliability of electrical components is improved, but pressure changes due to temperature differences cause insulation failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a membrane filter that acts as a flexible barrier between the interior and exterior of the unit case. This membrane allows the case to maintain pressure equilibrium while blocking moisture permeation, thus preventing both insulation failure and component corrosion.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane filter serves as an intermediary element that mediates between the need for pressure equilibrium and moisture protection. It selectively permits pressure equalization while preventing water vapor and liquid water from entering the case interior.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the unit case is made air-permeable to accommodate pressure changes, then insulation failure is prevented, but moisture permeation causes corrosion of electrical and metallic components
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane filter provides a selective barrier that maintains air permeability for pressure equilibrium while blocking moisture. This thin film structure allows gas molecules to pass through for pressure equalization but prevents water vapor and liquid water from penetrating into the case.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different properties to different parts of the case structure: the membrane filter provides selective permeability at the interface with the external environment, while the interior case structure remains hermetically sealed to protect sensitive components.
3Ease of manufacture
If the air inlet unit is positioned at the lower part of the unit case, then ease of installation is improved, but sea water splashing causes corrosion and malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional positioning logic by placing the air inlet unit at the upper part of the case instead of the lower part. This inversion protects the inlet from sea water splashing while still allowing adequate air intake for the adsorption/desorption operations.
4Reliability
If the unit case is made hermetically sealed to protect components, then corrosion is prevented, but pressure changes due to temperature differences cause insulation failure
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane filter acts as a flexible barrier that maintains the hermetic seal of the case interior while allowing pressure equalization. This thin film structure prevents moisture ingress but accommodates temperature-induced pressure changes by permitting gas permeation.
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 effectively reduces malfunctions and corrosion of electrical components and metallic parts by minimizing water ingress into the unit case, even in marine environments, thereby enhancing the reliability and longevity of the container refrigeration apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
moisture may permeate through a fine gap of the unit case into the unit case due to capillarity
Implementation Method 2
using an adsorbent adsorbing a nitrogen component in the air through pressurization, generates nitrogen-enriched air
Implementation Method 3
using an air pump, the pressurized air to an adsorption column housing the adsorbent therein to perform an adsorption operation
Implementation Method 4
the inside air control system sucks the air from the adsorption column using the air pump to perform a desorption operation
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a container refrigeration apparatus including a unit case of an inside air control system disposed outside a container, the unit case housing an air pump therein. The container refrigeration apparatus is provided with an air inlet unit independent of the unit case. The air inlet unit and the air pump are connected together by a tube. The air inlet unit is provided with a membrane filter, and is disposed above the unit case. Malfunctions of electrical components and corrosion on metallic components due to moisture permeation into the unit case are reduced.