Isothermal Packaging Device with Wired Temperature Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing isothermal boxes for transporting heat-sensitive products face challenges in maintaining temperature stability and monitoring, particularly during reverse logistics where wireless temperature probes are often lost or damaged during unloading, complicating handling and reuse.
Innovation Solution
A device with a wired temperature monitoring system where the monitoring unit is fixed to the outer box and the temperature probe is inserted into a slot within the inner box, using a maintaining portion for secure positioning and release portions for easy insertion and extraction, allowing for secure handling and reuse without increasing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless temperature probes are used for monitoring, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to probe loss during unloading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wireless electronic probes with a wired temperature probe system where the probe is physically connected to the monitoring unit via a cable. This mechanical connection ensures the probe cannot be lost during unloading operations, resolving the reliability issue while maintaining monitoring functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature probe and monitoring unit are merged into a single integrated system through a physical cable connection. The probe, cable, and monitoring unit function as one unified device, eliminating the risk of probe separation or loss that occurs with wireless systems during handling and unloading.
2Reliability
If wired temperature probes are used for monitoring, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner box serves multiple functions: it contains the conditioned products, provides structural support, and integrates the temperature probe positioning slot. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite using a wired probe system.
Solution Approach 2:
The wired temperature probe system is implemented only in the specific location where temperature monitoring is needed (the inner box), rather than throughout the entire device. This localized approach minimizes the added complexity to only the necessary components.
3Reliability
If the temperature probe is securely fixed in the inner box, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning slot provides dynamic positioning of the temperature probe, allowing the probe to be securely held during transport (reliability) while enabling easy insertion and extraction when needed (ease of operation). The slot's geometry facilitates both secure retention and controlled removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning slot is pre-designed with specific geometric features that guide the temperature probe into the correct position during insertion. This preliminary structural preparation ensures proper probe positioning without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliability.
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
Ensures reliable temperature monitoring and maintenance of heat-sensitive products within a determined temperature range, facilitating safe handling and reuse of the conditioning device by preventing probe loss and simplifying the unloading process.
Implementation Method 1
a maintaining portion (22) having a longitudinal shape and a width provided to maintain the temperature probe (42) in position by compression
Implementation Method 2
one or more thermal stabilisation elements are positioned in a space formed between the outer envelope and the inner basket. Such thermal stabilisers are provided to maintain determined temperature conditions within the conditioning space formed by the inner basket
Implementation Method 3
thermal insulation elements are also provided between the thermal stabilisers and the outer box, in order to reduce calorific loss through the walls of the outer box
Data Source
AI summary
A device for conditioning products intended to maintain the products within a determined temperature range, including a first box of parallelepiped shape; a second box of parallelepiped shape. The second box having overall dimensions less than the first box is intended to be positioned inside the first box in a removable manner. At least one thermal stabilisation element is intended to be positioned in a space formed between the first box and the second box. A temperature monitoring system includes a data monitoring unit and at least one temperature probe coupled to the monitoring unit. The monitoring unit is intended to be fixed onto the first box and the temperature probe is intended to be inserted into the second box. The second box includes a slot for positioning the temperature probe. The positioning slot maintains the temperature probe in position by compression.