Modular Cold Box Series Configuration for Targeted Refrigeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional refrigerated cargo trucks and trailers face inefficiencies in cooling due to door openings, which lead to reduced temperature control and operational inefficiencies, as the entire compartment is cooled, rather than targeted cooling of cargo.
Innovation Solution
A modular transport containment assembly with a refrigeration unit, insulated boxes in series, detachable ducts, and isolation devices to manage cooling air flow efficiently, allowing for targeted temperature control and flexible box arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire compartment is cooled, then cargo protection is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo compartment is divided into multiple independent modular boxes, each capable of being cooled separately. This segmentation allows the refrigeration system to cool only the boxes containing cargo rather than the entire compartment, reducing energy consumption while maintaining cargo protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides localized cooling to specific modular boxes based on cargo requirements. Each box can be independently temperature-controlled, allowing the refrigeration system to apply cooling only where needed rather than uniformly across the entire compartment.
2Use of energy by moving object
If modular boxes are used for targeted cooling, then energy consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The modular boxes are designed with universal features including standardized insulation layers, detachable engagement mechanisms, and uniform ports for cooling air flow. These universal design elements simplify the overall system by using identical components throughout, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from customized solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular boxes are stacked in series configuration where cooling air flows from the refrigeration unit through multiple boxes in sequence. This nesting arrangement allows efficient space utilization and simplifies the ducting system by creating a linear flow path through the stacked boxes.
3Productivity
If boxes are arranged in series for cooling air flow, then cooling efficiency is improved, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The modular boxes feature detachable engagement mechanisms that allow the configuration to be dynamically changed. Boxes can be easily attached and detached to create different series arrangements or to remove boxes entirely, enabling the system to adapt to varying cargo loads and cooling requirements while maintaining efficient series flow configuration when needed.
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
Enhances operational efficiency by maintaining temperature control and flexibility in cooling, reducing energy consumption and improving cargo protection through targeted cooling and easy box arrangement.
Implementation Method 1
each one of the plurality of boxes are insulated
Implementation Method 2
a flow of cooling air from the refrigeration unit through the plurality of boxes
Data Source
AI summary
A transport containment assembly (26) includes a refrigeration unit (36) and a container (34). The container (34) houses a plurality of boxes (52) of the transport containment assembly (26) for storage of cargo. The plurality of boxes (52) are configured in series with one-another for the flow of cooling air from the refrigeration unit (36).