Cooler Insert with Dual-Chamber Design to Reduce Temperature Gradients

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cooling methods such as loose ice, gel blocks, and thermoelectric coolers face issues like temperature gradients, moisture accumulation, toxicity, and limited portability, making them unsuitable for effective and safe cooling in portable coolers.

Innovation Solution

A cooling device insert with a chamber that holds fluid, preventing it from contacting contents while providing refrigeration, featuring a design with projections for air circulation and easy access for ice/water addition and removal, which maintains temperature consistency and allows for recharging without removing contents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If loose ice is used for cooling, then cooling effect is achieved, but temperature gradients and moisture accumulation occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectVSAvoidtemperature distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is divided into separate functional zones: an upper chamber for contents and a lower chamber for cooling medium, separated by a partition with openings. This segmentation allows independent control of cooling medium while maintaining uniform temperature distribution in the contents chamber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A partition with openings acts as an intermediary between the cooling medium chamber and the contents chamber. This intermediary structure allows controlled air flow and heat transfer while preventing direct contact between melt water and contents, eliminating temperature gradients and moisture accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If gel blocks are used as loose ice substitute, then cooling is provided, but they frost over and accumulate condensation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectVSAvoidfrosting and condensation

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The partition with openings serves as an intermediary that allows heat transfer and air circulation while preventing direct contact between the cooling medium and the contents. This eliminates the harmful effects of frosting and condensation on the contents while maintaining effective cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful functions of the cooling medium (direct contact, frosting, condensation) are extracted and isolated in a separate lower chamber. Only the beneficial cooling effect is transferred to the contents through the partition openings, while the harmful byproducts are contained separately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Temperature

If thermoelectric coolers are used, then precise temperature control is achieved, but portability is limited due to power requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling mechanism changes from active electrical control to passive thermal control using phase change materials. The system utilizes the latent heat of fusion of ice/water in the lower chamber, eliminating the need for external power sources while maintaining effective temperature control through natural convection and conduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Temperature

If ice is added to cooler contents, then cooling is enhanced, but contents become difficult to access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling enhancementVSAvoidaccess to contents

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cooler is segmented into two distinct chambers: an upper chamber for contents and a lower chamber for ice/water. This vertical segmentation allows ice to be added or removed from the lower chamber without disturbing or blocking access to the contents in the upper chamber, maintaining ease of access while providing enhanced cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The insert maintains consistent cooling, reduces temperature gradients, and allows for easy maintenance and recharging, addressing the limitations of existing cooling methods by ensuring safe and effective temperature regulation in portable coolers.

Implementation Method 1

a chamber (50) in fluid communication with the opening (87), wherein the cooling device insert maintains a consistent cooling and reduces temperature gradients

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

A cooling device insert with a chamber that holds fluid... maintains temperature consistency... consistent cooling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS9726414B2Cooler or cooler insert and methods of fabrication thereof

Publication Date: 2017.08.08 SO COOL PROD

AI summary

An insert configured to be disposed in a receptacle, the insert comprising a bottom surface, a first top surface, a second top surface, the second top surface being located further from the bottom surface than the first top surface in a first direction, the first direction being orthogonal to the bottom surface, and a chamber, the chamber residing between the first top surface and the bottom surface and the second top surface and the bottom surface, the chamber being configured to hold a liquid, is provided. An associated method is also provided.