Inflatable Temperature-Controlled Storage Device for Compact Stowage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage devices for food and beverages lack a compact, flexible, and temperature-controlled solution that can maintain desired temperatures during storage and transportation, especially in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A resiliently flexible shell with an inner and outer layer that inflates from a collapsed to a semirigid configuration, featuring a temperature control module with heat and cooling capabilities, and a hingable top for access, allowing for efficient temperature management and compact stowage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a rigid storage device is used to maintain structural integrity for temperature control, then temperature stability is improved, but storage space efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device employs a flexible bladder that can dynamically change its state between inflated and deflated configurations. When inflated, the bladder provides structural integrity to maintain temperature control; when deflated, it collapses to minimize storage space. This dynamic transformation allows the device to adapt its physical state based on operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between maintaining temperature stability and optimizing storage space efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes a flexible bladder constructed from resiliently flexible material that can be inflated to a semirigid configuration. This flexible shell structure provides the necessary structural support for temperature control while allowing the device to collapse into a compact form for storage. The flexible nature of the bladder enables it to maintain shape and integrity during use while occupying minimal space when not in use, effectively addressing the contradiction between structural integrity and space efficiency.
2Volume of moving object
If a flexible storage device is used to optimize storage space, then storage efficiency is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device employs a flexible bladder that can dynamically change its state between inflated and deflated configurations. When inflated, the bladder provides structural integrity to maintain temperature control; when deflated, it collapses to minimize storage space. This dynamic transformation allows the device to adapt its physical state based on operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between maintaining temperature stability and optimizing storage space efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes a flexible bladder constructed from resiliently flexible material that can be inflated to a semirigid configuration. This flexible shell structure provides the necessary structural support for temperature control while allowing the device to collapse into a compact form for storage. The flexible nature of the bladder enables it to maintain shape and integrity during use while occupying minimal space when not in use, effectively addressing the contradiction between structural integrity and space efficiency.
3Temperature
If a temperature control module is added to maintain desired temperatures, then temperature control capability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control module is integrated directly into the flexible bladder structure, serving multiple functions: it provides thermal control capability while being embedded within the existing flexible container design. This integration approach allows the temperature control function to be added without requiring a completely separate rigid structure, thereby improving temperature control capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
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 a compact, flexible, and temperature-controlled storage device that maintains food and beverages at desired temperatures, enabling efficient storage and transportation while occupying minimal space when not in use.
Implementation Method 1
A temperature control module that is coupled to and positioned in the shell is configured to selectively warm and cool the interior space and contents thereof
Implementation Method 2
The shell comprises an inner layer and an outer layer that define an internal space, to which addition of air selectively inflates the shell from a collapsed configuration to a semirigid configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature controlled storage device for storing food and beverages includes a shell, which defines an interior space and is resiliently flexible. The shell comprises an inner layer and an outer layer that define an internal space, to which addition of air selectively inflates the shell from a collapsed configuration to a semirigid configuration. A top of the shell is reversibly couplable to opposing sides and a front of the shell so that the top is hingable relative to a back of the shell to allow access to the interior space. A closure that extends between the top of the shell and both the opposing sides and the front of the shell is positioned to selectively couple the top to the shell. A temperature control module that is coupled to and positioned in the shell selectively warms and cools the interior space and contents thereof.