Cooling device for the cooled storage of medical products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling devices for remote areas, particularly in developing countries, face challenges in maintaining a stable cold chain for medical products due to unreliable energy supply, limited storage capacity, and environmental concerns related to auxiliary batteries, while requiring separate cooling circuits for storage and ice production.
Innovation Solution
A compact cooling device with a single cooling circuit that incorporates a cooling element with a recess for removable cold accumulators and an insulation vessel with a heating element and storage element, allowing for efficient energy transfer and temperature control within the required +2° to +8° Celsius range, eliminating the need for auxiliary batteries and enhancing storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate cooling circuits are used for storage space and freezing room, then ice production capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the storage space and freezing room into a single cooling circuit system. The storage space is designed to function dual-purpose: storing medical products during operation and serving as a freezing room for ice bag production during power failures. This eliminates the need for separate cooling circuits while maintaining both storage and ice production capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage space is designed with multi-functionality to serve both as a product storage area during normal operation and as a freezing room during power failures. The cooling element and insulation vessel configuration enables the same space to perform different functions based on operational conditions, reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If auxiliary batteries are added for power buffering, then reliability during power failures is improved, but environmental harm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful environmental impact of auxiliary batteries into a beneficial passive cooling system. Instead of using batteries that require disposal and cause pollution, the system uses the storage space's insulation properties and ice bags to passively maintain cooling during power failures, eliminating battery waste while ensuring continuous cooling.
3Productivity
If cooling element directly contacts evaporator, then cooling efficiency is improved, but temperature control precision worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary thermal connection between the cooling element and evaporator. The cooling element is thermally coupled to the evaporator through a controlled interface that allows efficient heat transfer while enabling independent temperature control. This intermediary connection maintains cooling efficiency while preventing direct contact that would cause temperature control issues.
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 provides extended storage capacity, reliable temperature control, and reduced environmental impact by eliminating the need for auxiliary batteries, ensuring continuous cooling and safe storage of medical products within the required temperature range, even during energy-free periods.
Implementation Method 1
the evaporator and the cooling element are disposed within the cooling space such that a first side of the cooling element at least partially abuts on the evaporator
Implementation Method 2
an insulation vessel, wherein the evaporator and the cooling element are disposed within the cooling space
Implementation Method 3
the insulation vessel preferably in the region of its downwardly facing end has at least one heating element
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooling device 1, in particular a freezer 2, having a cooling circuit 3, wherein the cooling circuit 3 has a compressor 4, at least one evaporator 5, and a condenser 44, and a closable cooling space 6 with a plurality of cooling space sidewalls 7, a cooling space base 8, at least one cooling element 9, and an insulation vessel 10. In the cooling device 1 the evaporator 5 and the cooling element 9 are disposed within the cooling space 6 such that the back of the cooling element 11 at least partially abuts on the evaporator 5 and the front of the cooling element 12 faces the insulation vessel 10, and the insulation vessel 10 is closed at least towards the at least one cooling element 9 and forms a space for cooling goods 13. The back of the cooling element 11 abutting the evaporator 5 has at least one recess 14 into which at least one removable cold accumulator 15 can be inserted. Preferably in the region of the downwardly facing end 16 of the insulation vessel 10 at least one heating element 17 and at least one storage element 18 are arranged.