Modular Climate-Controlled Freight Container for Flexible Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing climate-controlled freight containers lack flexibility and redundancy, leading to inefficiencies due to the need for specialized models for different climate control conditions, resulting in unused containers and increased complexity in adapting to varying transport demands.
Innovation Solution
A climate-controlled freight container system with a central climate-control unit and local climate-control units, allowing for modular climate modules that can be easily combined and controlled to adapt to different conditions, with redundant operation capabilities and energy-efficient management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If different models of air-freight containers are developed for different climate control conditions, then the climate control accuracy and reliability are improved, but the device complexity and the number of unused containers increase
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into modular climate control units that can be independently configured and combined. Each climate module can be mounted in different positions and configurations within the container, allowing the same basic container design to serve multiple climate control needs without requiring entirely different container models.
Solution Approach 2:
The climate control system allows dynamic reconfiguration of climate modules during operation. Modules can be activated or deactivated based on real-time climate requirements, and the control system can dynamically adjust the operation of individual modules to meet varying temperature and humidity demands of different cargo types.
2Manufacturing precision
If specialized container models are developed for specific climate conditions, then the climate control precision is improved, but the adaptability to varying transport demands decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A single container design incorporates universal mounting structures and standardized interfaces that allow the same container to accommodate different types and numbers of climate modules. This universal design enables the container to adapt to various transport demands while maintaining precise temperature control through the standardized modular interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing operational parameters of climate modules dynamically. By adjusting the number of active modules, their mounting positions, and their operational settings, the same container can precisely meet different temperature requirements for various cargo types without requiring physically different container models.
3Reliability
If more climate modules are installed in the container, then the climate control redundancy and reliability are improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors temperature, humidity, and module performance, using this feedback to dynamically adjust the operation of climate modules. When full redundancy is not needed, the system reduces the operation of additional modules, thereby maintaining reliability when needed while minimizing energy consumption during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system installs more climate modules than the minimum required for basic operation, providing excess capacity that can be activated only when needed. This partial action approach ensures that the additional modules and their energy consumption are utilized only when the transport conditions require enhanced redundancy, such as during extreme ambient temperatures or extended transport durations.
Data Source
AI summary
A climate-controlled freight container (10) comprises a casing (12), enclosing a cargo compartment (20) and a control compartment (26). The container further comprises a climate system (30) that has at least two climate modules (40) and an air distribution arrangement (21), configured to distribute air from the climate system into the cargo compartment and. A central climate-control unit (52) is configured for collection of measurements associated with climate conditions of the cargo compartment and for controlling the climate system. Each of the climate modules is configured for adapting climate properties of air flowing through the climate modules from a return air plenum (36) to a supply air plenum (34). Each of the at least two climate modules comprises a local climate-control unit (46), configured for controlling an operation of the climate module. The central climate-control unit is configured for providing operational instructions to the local climate-control units.