Interlocking Cooler Floor With HVAC Temperature Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles lack effective temperature regulation for storage containers and securement during transit, leading to potential damage and inconvenience from frequent ice or heat pack replenishment.
Innovation Solution
A grooved floor in the vehicle compartment with a temperature-regulating medium that interlocks with a grooved bottom surface of the storage container, utilizing the vehicle's HVAC system to control temperature and prevent sliding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a cooler is stored in a vehicle without a securement system, then the vehicle interior space is utilized, but the cooler slides and moves during driving causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from point-based securement (tie-downs) to surface-based interlocking. The grooved floor and grooved bottom surface create a two-dimensional interlocking interface that prevents sliding in multiple directions simultaneously, providing stable securement without restricting placement flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The grooved structures act as an intermediary mechanism between the cooler and the vehicle floor. Rather than directly tying down the cooler or relying on friction alone, the interlocking grooves provide a mechanical interface that securely holds the cooler in place while maintaining ease of installation and removal.
2Device complexity
If traditional coolers are used without integrated temperature regulation, then device simplicity is maintained, but temperature control requires separate ice or heat packs requiring frequent replenishment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the temperature regulation function with the storage container and vehicle HVAC system. Instead of using separate ice packs or heat packs that require manual replenishment, the system integrates thermal coupling between the cooler, grooved floor, and vehicle's climate control system, allowing automated temperature maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The grooved floor serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical securement through interlocking grooves and enables thermal regulation through fluid circulation channels. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate securement systems and manual temperature management.
3Stability of the object's composition
If external tie-downs are used to secure the cooler, then securement is achieved, but dedicated connections are required in the vehicle interior reducing design flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler and vehicle floor both contribute to the securement mechanism through their complementary grooved surfaces. The cooler's grooved bottom surface interlocks with the grooved floor without requiring any active securement actions or modifications to the vehicle interior, making the system self-securing.
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 system effectively regulates container temperature and prevents sliding, enhancing storage security and efficiency by integrating with the vehicle's HVAC system.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature-regulating medium flows beneath the floor to regulate the temperature of the contents of the container from below the container
Implementation Method 2
The temperature-regulating medium flows through an HVAC system of the vehicle, which controls the temperature of the temperature-regulating medium to either cool or heat the contents of the container
Data Source
AI summary
A storage system includes a storage surface for storing a container thereon. The storage surface defines a storage surface ridge. The storage surface ridge defines a cavity. The storage surface further defines a storage surface valley. The storage surface ridge and the storage surface valley interlock with a bottom surface of the container. The storage system also includes a temperature-regulating medium housed in the cavity. The temperature-regulating medium regulates a temperature of one or more contents of the container when the container is stored on the storage surface.