Insert for thermally insulated containers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Thermally insulated containers often lack temperature uniformity, requiring cumbersome packing instructions and excessive use of cooling materials to maintain consistent temperatures, which is not efficiently addressed by existing designs.
Innovation Solution
A thermally conductive insert made of aluminum panels, with fixation devices and optional phase-change material pockets, is introduced to promote temperature uniformity within containers by enhancing thermal conductivity and convection, allowing for easier installation and adaptability to various container shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional insulation materials (foam or vacuum panels) are used in thermally insulated containers, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but temperature uniformity inside the container deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces thermally conductive panels at specific locations inside the container to create local thermal bridges. These panels are strategically positioned to conduct heat from cooler regions to warmer regions, addressing the temperature uniformity problem locally without compromising the overall insulation performance of the container walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermally conductive panels act as intermediary elements between the insulation layers and the container contents. They mediate heat distribution by conducting thermal energy across the container interior, bridging the gap between the insulated walls and the contents to achieve more uniform temperature distribution.
2Temperature
If cooling packs are added to improve temperature uniformity, then temperature distribution is improved, but device complexity and packing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The thermally conductive panels are integrated into the container structure itself, allowing the container to self-regulate temperature distribution passively. The panels automatically conduct heat where needed based on temperature gradients, eliminating the need for active cooling packs or complex packing arrangements by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the temperature uniformity function directly into the container structure by integrating thermally conductive panels as part of the container's internal architecture. This combines the insulation function with the temperature distribution function into a single integrated system, reducing the need for separate cooling packs.
3Temperature
If more cooling materials are used to maintain temperature uniformity, then temperature consistency is improved, but the volume available for goods storage decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of adding more cooling materials with a thermal conduction-based solution. Instead of using mass (more cooling packs) to achieve temperature uniformity, the system uses thermally conductive panels to redistribute heat efficiently, achieving the same goal with minimal volume occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal conductivity parameter of the container interior by introducing high-conductivity panels. This parameter change allows heat to flow more freely across the container interior, achieving temperature uniformity through improved heat transfer rather than through increased cooling material volume.
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 achieves improved temperature uniformity within thermally insulated containers, reducing the need for burdensome packing strategies and minimizing the amount of cooling materials required, while being cost-effective and adaptable to different container models.
Implementation Method 1
the insert comprising one or more panels made of a thermally conductive material. Disposing such an insert into a thermally insulated containers promotes temperature uniformity inside the container, due to the thermal conductivity of the panels
Implementation Method 2
enhancing thermal conductivity and convection
Data Source
AI summary
An insert for a thermally insulated container is provided, the insert comprising one or more panels made of a thermally conductive material. In an implementation, the panels may be reconfigured between a first, flat configuration and a second, erected configuration. In the second, erected configuration, the insert can be retrofitted to an existing thermally insulated container, to improve evenness in the internal temperature distribution.