Mobile Blower Module Cold Storage for Flexible Cooling Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cold chain systems face limitations in increasing production capacity for chilled goods due to the high effort required to expand cooling tunnels and the constraints of permanently installed rapid cooling stations, which restricts the production of refrigerated goods.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of mobile blower modules that can be temporarily brought into the cold store, providing flexible and efficient cooling by drawing in ambient air and distributing it through the cold store to rapidly cool refrigerated goods, thus increasing production capacity with minimal structural effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cooling tunnel capacity is fully utilized, then production capacity is maximized, but expansion of cooling tunnel requires great effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing mobile blower modules that can be moved between different locations in the cold store. Instead of a fixed cooling tunnel structure, the system uses dynamically repositionable cooling units that can adapt to varying production demands and product locations, thereby increasing productivity without requiring permanent structural expansion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cooling function from the storage structure by using separate mobile blower modules that can be independently deployed. This segmentation allows the cooling capacity to be flexibly adjusted and repositioned without modifying the overall cold store structure, resolving the contradiction between maximizing cooling capacity and minimizing structural effort
2Speed
If permanently installed rapid cooling stations are provided, then fast cooling capability is improved, but production capacity is limited by the number of installed stations
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile blower modules serve multiple functions: they can be moved to different locations, used for different product types, and deployed in varying numbers based on production demands. This universality allows a single type of module to provide fast cooling capability across the entire cold store, eliminating the limitation of fixed cooling station locations and enabling scalable productivity improvement
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static cooling stations to dynamic mobile modules that can be repositioned as needed. This dynamic deployment allows the cooling capacity to adapt to changing production requirements, enabling both fast cooling performance and flexible scalability of production capacity without being constrained by permanent installation locations
3Adaptability or versatility
If mobile blower modules are used, then flexibility and production capacity are improved, but additional equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The control system monitors temperature conditions and production demands, then automatically positions and operates the appropriate number of mobile blower modules. This feedback mechanism ensures that equipment is deployed only when and where needed, optimizing the balance between flexibility and equipment outlay by avoiding unnecessary permanent installations while maintaining adaptability
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
This solution allows for the flexible expansion of cooling capacity, reducing energy consumption and avoiding bottlenecks, enabling rapid and effective cooling of refrigerated goods while maintaining low equipment expenditure and operational simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
Air is sucked out of the aisle by the fan module, so that cool ambient air is forced to flow through the refrigerated goods
Implementation Method 2
Air is sucked out of the aisle by the fan module
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A refrigerated warehouse (4) comprises a large number of parking spaces (5) with the same dimensions for accommodating refrigerated goods and a cooling device (9) for cooling the air in the refrigerated warehouse (4). One or more mobile fan modules without their own refrigeration unit are arranged in the refrigerated warehouse, with each mobile fan module (10) being operated electrically, adapted to the dimensions of the parking spaces (5) and being optionally parked on one of the parking spaces (5) in order to move from a parking space (5 ) to apply an air flow from at least one adjacent parking space (5), for which air is sucked in within the cold store (4) from the vicinity of the parking space (5) of the respective mobile fan module (10). In a refrigeration chain with an existing refrigerated warehouse, this enables at least an occasional increase in manufacturing capacity in the production of refrigerated goods using the simplest of means.