Mobile locker with temperature control and monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing delivery systems for perishable products face challenges in maintaining temperature control without the use of power, as they rely on inefficient methods such as ice packs or chemical heating packs, which have limited duration and require space.
Innovation Solution
A mobile locker style storage system utilizing phase change material (PCM) embedded within the walls, floor, ceiling, and door of each accessible product space, which provides passive environmental control by absorbing or releasing energy based on its melting point, thus maintaining temperature without power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ice packs or chemical heating packs are used for temperature control, then cooling or heating effect is provided, but they take up valuable space and have limited duration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase change material (PCM) that absorbs or releases latent heat during phase transitions (solid-liquid) to maintain temperature control. The PCM is integrated into the walls, floor, ceiling, and door of the dispensing unit, allowing temperature regulation without requiring separate ice packs or heating elements that would occupy additional space.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature control function is merged into the structural components of the dispensing unit. The PCM is embedded within the walls, floor, ceiling, and door assemblies, combining the structural envelope with the thermal regulation system, thereby eliminating the need for separate space-consuming temperature control devices.
2Temperature
If active refrigeration or heating units are used, then temperature control is maintained, but power consumption is required
Solution Approach 1:
The PCM system operates autonomously without requiring external power input. The phase change material automatically absorbs heat when temperature rises above its melting point and releases heat when temperature falls below its melting point, providing self-regulating temperature control that eliminates the need for powered refrigeration or heating units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the latent heat of fusion during PCM phase transitions to provide passive thermal regulation. When the PCM melts, it absorbs heat from the product space; when it freezes, it releases heat back, creating a power-free temperature control mechanism that responds automatically to temperature changes.
3Temperature
If Peltier thermoelectric coolers are used, then cooling effect is produced, but significant heat is generated requiring additional heat dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The PCM system converts the thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted heat into a useful cooling mechanism. By using phase change material that absorbs latent heat during melting, the system efficiently captures and stores thermal energy without generating additional waste heat, unlike Peltier devices that convert electrical energy into both cooling and waste heat.
4Temperature
If compressors or heat pump systems are used, then temperature control is achieved, but large amounts of space and power are required along with maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential temperature control function from complex powered systems and implements it through passive phase change material. By removing compressors, heat pumps, and associated control systems, the invention retains only the fundamental thermal regulation capability through PCM, dramatically simplifying the system while maintaining temperature control effectiveness.
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 PCM-based system efficiently maintains temperature control for perishable products by absorbing energy as needed, providing cooling or heating without power consumption, and allowing for reconditioning in suitable environments, thus extending the shelf life of products.
Implementation Method 1
The passive environmental control system utilizes phase change material (PCM) embedded within the walls, floor, ceiling, and door of each accessible product space. PCM is available in a wide range of 'melting points.' The melting point of a PCM product is the temperature where the PCM starts to absorb energy.
Implementation Method 2
The PCM will continue to absorb energy, and thus continue to cool the product space, as the outside temperature rises. At some point, the PCM will become depleted, or exhausted, and will no longer be able to absorb energy
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile locker includes one or more dispensing units. Each dispensing unit consists of an accessible product space where each product space also includes a temperature monitor. A passible environmental control incudes a multiple of containers located around the perimeter of each accessible product space. Further, each of the containers incorporates a phase change material (PCM) that is used to temperature condition each accessible product space.