Insulation container for temperature-sensitive goods, in particular for temperature-controlled storage and/or temperature-controlled transport of goods

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insulation containers for temperature-sensitive goods are costly to manufacture and require complex handling due to integrated cooling elements, which are difficult to replace and clean, and often inefficiently use cooling packs for specific temperature ranges.

Innovation Solution

An insulation container with a reversible connection system using clamp members to attach a cooling element to the lid, allowing for easy replacement and cleaning, and utilizing vacuum insulation elements for enhanced thermal efficiency, enabling flexible use of different cooling packs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If cooling elements are integrated into the lid or receptacles, then temperature control is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and handling complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidhandling complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling element is segmented from the container structure, allowing it to be independently inserted into the interior space rather than being integrated into the lid or receptacles. This segmentation enables separate handling, cleaning, and replacement of the cooling element without affecting the container structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling element is extracted from the integrated design and placed as a separate component within the interior space. This extraction simplifies the overall structure, reduces manufacturing complexity, and enables easier maintenance while maintaining temperature control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Temperature

If cooling elements are integrated into the lid, then temperature control is achieved, but cleaning becomes difficult due to condensed water accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidcleaning ease

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling element is extracted from the lid integration and positioned as a separate component in the interior space. This extraction eliminates the condensed water accumulation problem between the cooling element and lid, allowing both components to be easily cleaned separately without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Loss of energy

If vacuum insulation elements are used, then thermal insulation is significantly improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal insulationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Vacuum insulation elements are applied selectively to specific surfaces (bottom, lid, and circumferential side surfaces) rather than the entire container. This partial application achieves significant thermal insulation improvement while controlling manufacturing costs by avoiding complete coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 enables cost-effective manufacturing, efficient temperature control, and easy maintenance of insulation containers, allowing for optimal insulation and flexible use of cooling elements, ensuring precise temperature stabilization and reducing the risk of damage from condensed water accumulation.

Implementation Method 1

the interior space being thermally insulated from the exterior along walls of the insulation container by vacuum insulation elements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum insulation: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

Vacuum insulation elements enhance the insulating effect many times over

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

it is also conceivable to use latent heat storage materials, so-called phase change materials, in which the energy supplied is stored in the form of latent heat for a phase change from a solid to a liquid state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 4

latent heat storage materials, so-called phase change materials, in which the energy supplied is stored in the form of latent heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLatent heat: Latent Heat

Data Source

PatentUS20240336423A1Insulation container for temperature-sensitive goods, in particular for temperature-controlled storage and/or temperature-controlled transport of goods

Publication Date: 2024.10.10 VA-Q-TEC THERMAL SOLUTIONS GMBH

AI summary

Insulation container for temperature-sensitive goods, in particular for temperature-controlled transport of goods, having a base body which, with a lid, surrounds an interior space serving to accommodate the goods, the interior space being thermally insulated from the exterior along walls of the insulation container by vacuum insulation elements and having a cooling element to be received in the region of the lid with respect to the interior space for cooling the goods accommodated in the interior space in order to produce a functional state of the insulation container, characterized in that the cooling element can be connected to the lid with the aid of clamp members.