An assembly having a cover and a cooling element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assemblies for temperature-controlled containers are inefficient in cooling and reusing cooling elements, with a short service life for the cover and time-consuming processes for attaching and detaching the cooling elements, leading to high energy consumption and rapid wear.
Innovation Solution
An assembly with a cover and cooling element where the total height is increased to maximize the lateral peripheral surface area for heat transfer, enhanced by a cooling mechanism that generates air currents and uses thermally insulating materials and magnetic attachments for efficient cooling and easy handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If cooling elements are introduced in recesses of the cover and pressed by lateral walls, then the cooling elements remain in place when orientated towards the floor, but the process of cooling and reusing the cooling elements becomes time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The cover structure is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The cover can be orientated in different positions (towards floor or ceiling) to facilitate cooling element extraction and insertion. This dynamic positioning allows rapid cooling by simply orienting the cover towards the ceiling in a cooling chamber, eliminating the need for complex extraction mechanisms and reducing overall cooling and reuse time.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling elements are pre-positioned in the cover structure during assembly. The cover is designed with integrated cooling element holders that secure the elements in place during transport and use. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for repeated extraction and reinsertion operations, significantly reducing the time required for cooling and reuse cycles.
2Ease of repair
If cooling elements are extracted and reinserted by pushing towards the bottom of recesses, then the cooling elements can be reused, but the process becomes time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed to be dynamically orientated during the cooling process. By orienting the cover towards the ceiling in a cooling chamber, the cooling elements remain securely in place during cooling. This eliminates the need for repeated extraction and reinsertion operations, significantly reducing the time required for reuse while maintaining full reusability of the cooling elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover structure provides self-service functionality through its integrated design. The cooling elements are held in place by the cover structure itself during transport and cooling operations. The magnetic attachment mechanism automatically secures the cooling elements when the cover is orientated towards the ceiling, eliminating the need for manual extraction and reinsertion operations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cover is made of polypropylene coated with varnish, then the cover provides protective coating, but the cover wears very quickly and has short service life
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is constructed using composite materials that combine the durability of polypropylene with enhanced protective properties. The varnish coating is applied in a manner that maximizes its protective effectiveness while minimizing wear. The magnetic attachment mechanism reduces mechanical stress on the cover during cooling element attachment and detachment, thereby extending the service life of the cover while maintaining its protective functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic attachment mechanism replaces traditional mechanical fastening systems that require screws, clips, or adhesives. This magnetic system reduces mechanical stress and wear on the cover structure during cooling element attachment and detachment operations, thereby extending the service life of the cover while maintaining its protective coating integrity.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the assembly is fixed to receptacle using sleeve and zipper, then the assembly can be enclosed and protected, but the fixing and removing process becomes time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic attachment mechanism replaces the traditional sleeve and zipper system with a magnetic field-based attachment system. The magnetic force automatically secures the cooling elements to the cover when the cover is orientated towards the ceiling, eliminating the need for manual zipper operations. This reduces the time required for fixing and removing the assembly while maintaining protective enclosure during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The cover can be quickly orientated towards the ceiling for magnetic attachment of cooling elements and towards the floor for easy removal. This dynamic positioning system eliminates the need for time-consuming zipper operations while maintaining protective enclosure during transport phases.
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 assembly achieves a 33% increase in heat transfer rate, reduces cooling time, and extends the service life of the cover, allowing for quicker reuse with reduced energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the rate of heat transfer is proportional to a multiplication of the heat transfer coefficient and the area through which the heat transfer takes place
Implementation Method 2
the lateral peripheral surface of the cooling element in contact with the environment
Implementation Method 3
the box comprises a second magnetic element arranged in the edge, the second magnetic element being attractive to the magnetic element
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
Assembly (A) having a cover (1), a cooling element (2) and attaching means (3) therebetween, the cover (1) having a top surface (1T), a lower surface (1U) and a lateral peripheral surface (1L), the cover (1) having a cover height (h1); the cooling element (2) comprising a top surface (2T), a lower surface (2U) and a lateral peripheral surface (2L), the cooling element (2) having a cooling element height (h2), the top surface (2T) of the cooling element (2) facing the lower surface (1U) of the cover (1), the assembly having a total height (H), wherein the total height (H) is higher than or equal to the sum of the cover height (h1) and the element height (h2). A container comprising a box (5) and an assembly, and to a method of using the container.