Evaporative cooling systems and methods of controlling product temperatures during delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
In modern retail environments, product delivery often results in undesirable temperature changes that can lead to delays, increased costs, and reduced revenue, as existing systems struggle to maintain product freshness and specific temperature thresholds during transportation.
Innovation Solution
A product temperature control system that selects and implements specific cooling systems based on product and delivery parameters, using evaporative cooling systems, temperature control selection algorithms, and sensors to maintain desired temperatures during transit, allowing for individual temperature control of products without requiring entire vehicle temperature regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If evaporative cooling systems are used for individual product temperature control, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the delivery vehicle into multiple zones, with each zone containing an independent evaporative cooling system tailored to specific product temperature requirements. This segmentation allows precise temperature control for individual products or product groups without requiring the entire vehicle to be temperature-controlled, thereby improving temperature control precision while managing device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Different evaporative cooling systems are designed with locally optimized properties based on the specific temperature control needs of products in each zone. Each cooling system's evaporative surface area, coolant flow rate, and insulation characteristics are customized to match the thermal requirements of the products it serves, enabling precise temperature control while avoiding the complexity of a uniform system for all products.
2Reliability
If individual product temperature control is implemented, then product freshness is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery vehicle is segmented into multiple temperature zones, each with its own evaporative cooling system sized and configured for the specific thermal load of products in that zone. This allows temperature control to be applied only where needed, improving product freshness for temperature-sensitive items while avoiding the energy waste and cost of cooling the entire vehicle, especially when transporting mixed product types with different temperature requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies temperature control at the appropriate level of intensity for each product type without over-cooling. Evaporative cooling systems are designed to provide sufficient cooling capacity for the specific thermal load and delivery duration of each product zone, avoiding excessive energy consumption while maintaining product freshness through adequately targeted cooling action.
3Temperature
If evaporative cooling systems are used, then temperature control capability is improved, but adaptability to various delivery methods decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporative cooling systems are designed with universal characteristics that enable them to function effectively across different delivery methods and environmental conditions. The systems use passive evaporative cooling principles that work regardless of whether the delivery vehicle is moving or stationary, and can be configured for various product types and delivery durations, thereby maintaining temperature control capability while adapting to diverse delivery scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaporative cooling systems incorporate dynamic adjustment capabilities through variable coolant flow rates and adjustable evaporative surface areas that can be modified based on real-time temperature conditions, product thermal loads, and delivery progress. This dynamic adaptability allows the systems to maintain effective temperature control across varying delivery methods and environmental conditions without requiring complete system redesign for each scenario.
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 solution effectively limits temperature changes, maintains product freshness, and reduces costs by providing precise temperature control for individual products, even when transported with others that do not require temperature maintenance, using a system that is compact and adaptable to various delivery methods.
Implementation Method 1
autonomously activate the coolant dispensing system to release evaporative coolant into an evaporative cavity while the first product is transported by the delivery vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided that limit the change in temperature and/or control a temperature of a product during delivery. Some embodiments provide systems to limit temperature changes, comprising: an evaporative product cooling system comprising: a product cavity that supports a product while the product is transported to a delivery location, wherein the product cooling system comprises an interior wall defining the product cavity, an exterior wall, an evaporative cavity between the interior and exterior walls, a coolant dispensing system, at least one evaporative opening, and a temperature sensor; and a temperature control circuit configured to receive temperature data from the temperature sensor while the product is in transit, determine that a temperature of the product is greater than a transport temperature threshold, and autonomously activate the coolant dispensing system to release evaporative coolant into the evaporative cavity while the product is transported.