Insulated Package Structure With Removable Vacuum Panels and PCM

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermally insulated packages for temperature-sensitive goods are expensive and not designed for multiple use, lacking in compactness and robustness while providing adequate temperature control.

Innovation Solution

A thermally insulated package comprising an outer shell of foam material with removably mounted vacuum insulated panels and phase change material (PCM) panels, allowing for efficient thermal insulation and ease of reuse or replacement, with optional inserts of lower thermal conductivity materials for enhanced performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional foam insulation is used throughout the package, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but thermal insulation performance is insufficient for extended temperature control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control reliabilityVSAvoidpackage structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The package divides insulation into two segments: foam insulation for the outer shell and vacuum insulated panels for critical thermal zones. This segmentation allows each material to perform its optimal function while maintaining overall structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The package uses a composite insulation system combining foam material and vacuum insulated panels. This composite approach achieves superior thermal insulation performance by leveraging the strengths of both materials without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If vacuum insulated panels are permanently integrated into the package, then thermal insulation performance is maximized, but reusability and replaceability are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent reusabilityVSAvoidthermal insulation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum insulated panels are designed with removable mounting mechanisms (such as clips or adhesive mounts) that allow them to be dynamically installed and removed. This dynamic design enables reuse and replacement while maintaining secure attachment during use to ensure thermal insulation reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the package uses a single-layer foam insulation design, then manufacturing is simple, but thermal efficiency is insufficient for extended period temperature control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextended period temperature controlVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum insulated panels are nested within recesses or pockets in the foam shell, creating a nested insulation structure. This approach achieves enhanced thermal efficiency for extended temperature control while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through integrated mold design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Strength

If vacuum insulated panels are used without protective structure, then thermal insulation performance is optimal, but the panels are vulnerable to puncture damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanel protectionVSAvoidthermal insulation performance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The foam shell structure serves as a protective cushioning layer that surrounds and protects the vacuum insulated panels from puncture damage. This beforehand protection ensures the panels maintain their thermal insulation performance without being vulnerable to mechanical damage during handling and transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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, robust, and cost-effective thermally insulated package that maintains temperature control over extended periods, with the ability to reuse components, improving thermal efficiency and reducing material costs.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of vacuum insulated panels removably received on the walls of the outer shell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum insulation: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of phase change material (PCM) panels arranged within the vacuum insulated panels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 3

phase change material (PCM) panels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLatent heat: Latent Heat

Implementation Method 4

an outer shell formed from a foam insulating material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 5

an outer shell formed from a foam insulating material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFoam: Foam

Data Source

PatentUS9944449B2Thermally insulated package

Publication Date: 2018.04.17 PELICAN BIOTHERMAL LLC

AI summary

A thermally insulating package comprises an outer shell (6) formed from a foam insulating material, a plurality of vacuum insulated panels (12) removably received on the walls of the outer shell (6) and a plurality of phase change material panels (18) arranged within the vacuum insulated panels (12) to define a payload space.