Cooled container and method for distributing cooled items
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooled containers for medicines experience temperature instability and require complex logistics for re-cooling, with phase change materials often leading to condensation issues during reconditioning, and existing systems are not efficient for longer transport times to remote locations.
Innovation Solution
A container design incorporating a phase change material with a closed-loop coolant circulation system, including a thermoelectric element and heat sink, allows for active and passive cooling, reducing re-cooling time and maintaining consistent temperatures, using a thermally conductive spreader and fins to enhance heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If phase change material is used in isolated container, then cooling duration is extended to about 8 hours, but temperature stability deteriorates and condensation occurs during reconditioning
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal spreader made of highly conductive material (e.g., aluminum or copper) is introduced as an intermediary between the phase change material and the enclosure. This spreader distributes heat evenly across the PCM surface, preventing localized temperature variations and condensation, while maintaining the extended cooling duration provided by the PCM.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase change material is divided into multiple segments or layers, each in contact with the thermal spreader. This segmentation allows better heat distribution throughout the PCM volume, improving temperature uniformity while maintaining the overall cooling duration.
2Measurement precision
If active cooling system with Peltier elements and battery is used, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material serves itself by automatically absorbing or releasing heat at its phase transition temperature, providing passive temperature regulation without requiring external power sources, sensors, or control systems. This eliminates the complexity of active cooling systems while maintaining reliable temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits the phase transition properties of selected materials (e.g., paraffin wax melting at specific temperatures) to provide automatic temperature regulation. When the enclosure approaches the PCM's phase transition temperature, the PCM absorbs excess heat; when temperature drops, it releases heat, providing precise temperature control without active components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If cooling element surrounds entire enclosure, then cooling uniformity is improved, but re-cooling time increases due to condensation
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal spreader acts as a mediator that prevents moisture condensation on the cooling element surface by distributing heat evenly, eliminating the condensation problem that delays re-cooling, while maintaining full surrounding coverage for uniform cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the problematic direct contact between cooling element and enclosure surface with a thermal spreader interface, eliminating condensation issues through improved thermal management rather than mechanical modifications to the cooling cycle.
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 design enables longer and more efficient cooling of medicines, allowing the phase change material to maintain desired temperatures for extended periods, reducing re-cooling time to under two hours and preventing temperature drops below 0°C, while minimizing condensation and logistical complexities.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling element surrounding said enclosure and containing a phase change material
Implementation Method 2
the phase change material is cooled... the phase change material can passively keep the enclosure at the desired temperature
Implementation Method 3
The heat sink may for example comprise a thermoelectric element, such as a Peltier element, with a cold side in the duct and a warm side outside the duct
Implementation Method 4
The warm side of the thermoelectric element comprises cooling fins and a fan
Implementation Method 5
the cooling element may further comprise a thermal spreader in thermo-conductive contact with the phase change material
Data Source
AI summary
A container (1) for holding and transporting cooled items, such as medicines. The container comprises an enclosure enclosed by a cooling element (8) containing a phase change material, a heat sink (11) outside the enclosure and a duct (12) forming a closed loop between the cooling element and the heat sink, for circulation of a coolant. The heat sink may for example comprise a Peltier element (14).