Cooler Insulation Pad With Compression Seal Against Air Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulation devices for coolers inadequately prevent undesired heating from air circulation within the cooler cavity, fail to provide an effective seal, and are inefficient in prolonging the cooling effect without power-driven climate control.
Innovation Solution
A flexible pad made of closed-cell polyvinyl chloride nitrile butadiene rubber (PVC/NBR) foam is placed inside the cooler to create a compression-sealed edge, minimizing air circulation and enhancing the insulation of perishables and cooling medium by forming a bulge along the edges to conform to the interior walls, thus maintaining low temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If air circulation is allowed within the cooler cavity, then easier access and ventilation are provided, but heat convection and conduction increase causing undesired heating of stored items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air circulation pathway from the cooler cavity by introducing an insulation device that blocks the movement of air. The insulation device is placed within the cavity to prevent convective heat transfer while still allowing the cooler to be opened and accessed for loading and unloading items.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation device acts as an intermediary element between the stored items and the external environment. It mediates the heat transfer process by providing a thermal barrier that reduces both convection and conduction, thereby protecting the perishables from undesired heating while maintaining the functional operation of the cooler.
2Ease of manufacture
If simple insulation layers are used in the cooler, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but insulation effectiveness is insufficient to prevent heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation device is constructed from composite materials including an outer shell and internal insulation layers. This composite structure provides enhanced insulation effectiveness compared to simple single-layer materials, while still maintaining reasonable manufacturing costs through the use of available insulation materials and straightforward construction methods.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the insulation device is made rigid to maintain shape, then structural stability is improved, but flexibility for conforming to cooler cavity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation device incorporates flexible elements that allow it to adapt to the specific geometry of the cooler cavity and the arrangement of stored items. The device can dynamically adjust its position and shape to maximize insulation coverage while maintaining sufficient structural integrity to provide effective thermal barrier functionality.
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 solution effectively extends the life of cooling media by up to 30% by reducing heat convection and conduction, maintaining low temperatures for a longer period while being efficient to manufacture and readily available.
Implementation Method 1
the pad may be compressed against the interior walls of a cooler cavity without collapsing, bowing or folding over
Implementation Method 2
such devices do not tackle the problem posed by air circulating within the cooler cavity, which generally introduces heat to the stored items via convection and conduction
Implementation Method 3
a flexible pad of insulation material that may be placed in a portable cooler cavity in a manner such as to create a compression-sealed edge for improving the insulation of perishables
Implementation Method 4
which generally introduces heat to the stored items via convection and conduction
Data Source
AI summary
The invention involves an insulation device comprising of a pad defined by a length and a width suitable for fitting snuggly within a cavity of a cooler. In exemplary embodiments, the pad comprises a closed-cell polyvinyl chloride nitrile butadiene rubber foam, also known as PVC/NBR, the pad defined by dimensions including a certain thickness such that the pad may be compressed against the interior walls of the cooler cavity without collapsing or folding over. The edges of the pad may be pressed against the interior walls of the cooler cavity to form a compression seal throughout the perimetrical edge of the pad against the interior walls of the cooler cavity; the compression-sealed edge prolongs a period during which low temperatures may be maintained. The pad is preferably water resistant, lightweight, washable, sufficiently flexible and can be easily trimmed or cut to a desired size.