Layered Cooling Container Walls With VIP Insulation for Longer Cold Chain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional passive cooling systems, such as EPP cooling boxes, have limitations in maintaining refrigeration chains longer than 3 to 4 hours due to low insulation values, requiring large and heavy cooling elements that are impractical for extended use.
Innovation Solution
A cooling container with a container body featuring a layered material configuration of at least three layers, including a vacuum insulated panel (VIP) enclosed between primary insulation materials, enhancing insulation and extending the cold chain up to 72 hours.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional EPP cooling boxes are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the insulation value is low resulting in limited refrigeration chain duration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining vacuum insulated panels (VIP) with expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam in a layered structure. The VIP layer provides superior thermal insulation with extremely low thermal conductivity, while the EPP layers provide structural support and additional insulation. This composite construction achieves significantly enhanced thermal insulation performance compared to conventional single-material EPP boxes, extending refrigeration chain duration from 3-4 hours to over 24 hours.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum insulated panel acts as an intermediary layer between the inner and outer EPP layers. This VIP intermediary provides a high-performance thermal barrier that mediates heat transfer between the external environment and the cooling elements, significantly reducing thermal conduction and convection while maintaining the structural integrity provided by the EPP materials.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If large cooling elements are used to extend refrigeration duration, then the cooling effect can be maintained longer, but the weight increases making them impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of heat transfer into a benefit by using the vacuum insulated panel's extremely low thermal conductivity. The VIP layer effectively blocks heat flow from the external environment to the cooling elements, allowing smaller, lighter cooling elements to maintain refrigeration for extended periods. The harm of thermal conduction is transformed into a benefit of thermal isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal conductivity parameter of the container walls by introducing the VIP layer with extremely low thermal conductivity values. This parameter change in the insulation performance allows the system to maintain cooling effectiveness with reduced cooling element mass, as the improved insulation reduces the heat load that the cooling elements must counteract.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the refrigeration chain is extended beyond conventional limits, then longer transport times are possible, but the thermal insulation of conventional containers is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-layer composite structure with VIP provides redundant thermal protection. The combination of VIP's extremely low thermal conductivity and EPP's insulating properties creates a robust thermal barrier that reliably maintains temperature stability throughout extended transport durations, ensuring refrigeration reliability even in varying ambient conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The enhanced insulation system provides beforehand cushioning against thermal penetration during extended transport. The VIP and EPP layers are pre-configured to resist heat flow before it can significantly impact the cooling elements and stored products, cushioning the system against temperature fluctuations throughout the extended refrigeration chain.
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 layered material configuration significantly increases the cooling ability, allowing for extended refrigeration chains without the need for large, heavy cooling elements, improving practicality and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one vacuum insulated panel which is substantially enclosed between at least one primary insulation material
Implementation Method 2
The at least one vacuum insulated panel (VIP) can be any vacuum insulated panel known in the prior art and being configured for insulation purposes
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling container, including a container body, the container body including at least one container wall which defines at least one receiving space; and a closing element configured for substantially closing the container body; where the at least one container wall includes a layered material configuration having at least three layers.