Transportable refrigerated cabinet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerated delivery lockers are bulky, cumbersome, and unable to be moved, limiting their use in different delivery locations, and lack secure lockable systems for fresh product storage.
Innovation Solution
A foldable and transportable refrigerated device comprising a reversible association of a base, a foldable outer structure, and a foldable inner structure with secure lockers, featuring a removable refrigeration unit, hermetic facades, isothermal insulation, and a solenoid or electric lock system for secure access control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If refrigerated lockers are made fixed and bulky to ensure structural stability and insulation, then temperature control and security are improved, but mobility and adaptability to different delivery locations are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerated locker is divided into modular components: a base unit with refrigeration system, foldable outer structure with insulation, and foldable inner structure with lockers. These segments can be assembled and disassembled, enabling the device to maintain temperature control when assembled while being mobile when disassembled or folded.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer and inner structures incorporate foldable elements with hinges and connecting mechanisms. The structure can transition between an unfolded rigid state for stable temperature control and an folded compact state for easy transport, dynamically adapting to different operational requirements.
2Reliability
If a secure locking system is added to mobile refrigerated cabinets, then security for fresh product storage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is integrated into the existing door structures of the lockers. The secure opening system combines with the door assembly rather than being a separate complex system, maintaining security functionality while minimizing additional complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the refrigerated structure is made foldable and removable to improve mobility, then adaptability to different locations is improved, but structural stability and insulation effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The outer structure is pre-equipped with insulation layers and sealing elements before use. When assembled, the insulation is already in place to maintain thermal effectiveness, eliminating the need for complex assembly-time insulation installation that could compromise performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Sealing elements and connecting mechanisms act as intermediaries between the modular components. These intermediaries ensure thermal continuity and insulation effectiveness at the joints where the foldable structure connects, preventing heat loss while allowing the structure to remain disassemblable.
4Reliability
If a complete locker system with secure opening is integrated into the foldable structure, then security and functionality are improved, but the difficulty of assembly and transport increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complete locker system is segmented into the base, outer structure, and inner structure as separate manageable modules. Each module can be handled and transported independently, reducing the practical difficulty of assembly and transport while maintaining the complete secure locker functionality when assembled.
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
Enables secure storage and transport of fresh products in lockable compartments, allowing flexible deployment and easy movement to various delivery locations while maintaining temperature control and security.
Implementation Method 1
the secure access means of said door of the foldable interior structure is a solenoid lock
Implementation Method 2
the other sides of said structure being covered with a removable isothermal insulation means
Implementation Method 3
said mobile partition being fixed by a hinge to the vertical wall
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention (1) relates to a folding and portable refrigerated cabinet comprising a locked-compartments structure, made up of the reversible combination of three elements: – a plinth, – a folding exterior structure positioned on the plinth, – a folding interior structure with compartments set into the exterior structure, the plinth containing a refrigeration unit, the folding exterior structure comprising a hermetically sealed facade closed by a refrigeration door, the other sides being covered with a removable isothermal insulation means (4), the folding interior structure with compartments being made up of at least one module comprising walls delimiting at least one closed volume inside the folding exterior structure, said closed volume constituting a compartment (24, 25, 26, 27) provided with a mobile partition allowing the volume of the compartment to be varied as two sub- compartments (24'/24", 25'/25", 26'/26", 27'/27"), each of said compartments and sub-compartments being closed by a door comprising a secured-access means.