Insulated Storage Containers With Complex Edge Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermally insulated storage containers fail to maintain temperature-sensitive materials within a narrow temperature range for extended periods, especially in remote or underdeveloped areas where electrical refrigeration is unavailable, leading to economic losses and potential damage to medicines, vaccines, and biological materials.
Innovation Solution
The development of a storage container with super-insulating panels and complex edge profiles that increase the thermal leak path length, providing enhanced thermal insulation and reducing thermal energy transfer between the storage area and the exterior environment, allowing the container to maintain temperature stability without active refrigeration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional insulated storage containers are used, then the container structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the container fails to maintain temperature-sensitive materials within a narrow temperature range for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The container walls are divided into multiple super-insulating panels with complex edge profiles instead of using single conventional insulation layers. This segmentation allows each panel to contribute to extended thermal protection while maintaining manageable manufacturing through modular assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces complex three-dimensional edge profiles on the super-insulating panels, creating multiple thermal pathways that must be traversed. This dimensional complexity at the edges significantly extends the thermal leak path length without substantially increasing overall container size, thereby extending temperature maintenance duration while controlling structural complexity
2Duration of action of stationary object
If thicker conventional insulation is used to extend temperature maintenance, then temperature stability improves, but the container size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal insulation parameter from conventional low-performance materials to super-insulating panels with superior thermal resistance properties. This allows achieving extended temperature maintenance duration with thinner overall wall constructions, thereby maintaining compact container volume while improving thermal performance
Solution Approach 2:
By implementing complex three-dimensional edge profiles on the super-insulating panels, the patent extends the thermal leak path length in the dimensional space of the edge geometry. This allows achieving enhanced temperature stability without proportionally increasing container volume, as the extended thermal path is achieved through edge configuration rather than bulk thickness increase
3Loss of energy
If conventional insulation materials are used, then the container is lightweight, but thermal energy transfer between storage area and exterior environment is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal conductivity parameter of the insulation material from conventional values to super-insulating panel values with significantly lower thermal conductivity. This reduces thermal energy transfer between the storage area and exterior environment while minimizing weight increase, as super-insulating panels achieve superior thermal performance with thinner constructions
Solution Approach 2:
The container structure is segmented into multiple super-insulating panels with complex edge profiles, distributing the thermal insulation function across multiple components. This segmentation allows optimizing the weight-to-insulation-performance ratio by using thinner, high-performance panels rather than thick conventional insulation, thereby reducing overall thermal energy transfer while controlling container weight
4Reliability
If active refrigeration systems are used to maintain temperature, then temperature control precision improves, but energy consumption increases and the system becomes unsuitable for remote areas
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs passive super-insulating panels with complex edge profiles that automatically maintain temperature without requiring external energy input or active refrigeration systems. The extended thermal leak path length created by the complex edge geometry provides self-sustaining thermal protection, making the system reliable for remote areas where energy availability is limited
Solution Approach 2:
The complex three-dimensional edge profiles on the super-insulating panels create extended thermal pathways that passively resist heat transfer. This dimensional complexity at the edges provides reliable temperature control without energy consumption, as the extended path length inherently reduces thermal energy transfer rate through the container walls
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 effectively extends the autonomy of the storage container in maintaining temperature-sensitive materials within a specific range, reducing energy consumption and minimizing the risk of damage, even in areas without access to electrical refrigeration.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the walls of the storage container may be formed of at least one super-insulating panel
Implementation Method 2
The thermal leak path between each pair of adjoining walls has a length that is greater than the wall thickness of each adjoining wall
Data Source
AI summary
A storage container that includes walls having complimentary-shaped edges with complex edge profiles. The complex edge profiles of adjoining walls mate with each other to form an interface that defines a thermal leak path between a storage area of the container and an exterior environment. The thermal leak path has a length that is greater than the thickness of the adjoined walls. In one example, the complex edge profile includes step-shaped features. The walls may also include one or more overlapping super-insulating panels. The panels may be joined to one another with adhesive layers. The super-insulating panels may be also be disposed in a wall including interior and exterior linings that are joined and sealed to define a space between the linings. The space may be evacuated and optionally filled with a super-insulating gas.