Modular insulated container and method for operating same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulating containers for transporting medicinal products face challenges in maintaining consistent temperatures, particularly when external temperatures deviate from expected ranges, risking the freezing of medicines and loss of effectiveness or harm to patients.
Innovation Solution
A modular insulating container with integrated thermal storage fluids within the walls, using thermally conductive materials for rapid heat transfer and pre-temperature control, eliminating the need for separately pre-cooled elements and simplifying the assembly process, while ensuring stable temperatures between 2°C to 25°C or 15°C to 25°C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate temperature control elements are used, then temperature stability can be achieved, but assembly becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the temperature control elements with the insulating container structure by integrating them into the wall assemblies. The phase change material is enclosed within the walls themselves, merging the container function with the temperature regulation function, thereby eliminating separate assembly steps for adding temperature control elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature control elements are pre-integrated into the insulating container walls during manufacturing. The phase change material is already positioned and secured within the wall structure before the container is put into service, eliminating the need for users to assemble these elements separately.
2Ease of operation
If pre-tempered cooling elements are used, then temperature control is possible, but reliability decreases when external temperatures deviate from expected ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses phase change material that can change its state (solid-liquid transition) at specific temperature ranges. This phase change allows the material to absorb or release large amounts of latent heat, enabling the container to maintain stable internal temperatures even when external conditions vary significantly from expected ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating walls incorporate phase change material that undergoes phase transitions (freezing and melting) to regulate temperature. When the external temperature drops below the expected range, the phase change material releases latent heat during freezing, preventing the internal temperature from dropping too low. Conversely, when external temperatures rise, the material absorbs heat during melting, maintaining internal temperature stability.
3Reliability
If multiple temperature control elements are added, then temperature stability improves, but the process becomes error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating multiple temperature control elements directly into the wall structure during manufacturing, the patent eliminates the need for separate assembly operations. The phase change material is uniformly distributed and secured within the wall assemblies, ensuring consistent performance without assembly errors.
Solution Approach 2:
All temperature control elements are pre-positioned and pre-secured within the insulating walls during the manufacturing process. This preliminary integration ensures correct placement and orientation of all elements before the container is shipped, eliminating assembly errors that would occur if users had to install multiple elements separately.
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 modular design ensures consistent temperature maintenance, simplifies logistics, and enhances safety by automatically controlling temperatures within the required range, reducing the risk of temperature deviations and complex assembly steps.
Implementation Method 1
which contain thermal storage fluids that are separated from the interior space by means of thermally conductive material
Implementation Method 2
Through their phase transition from solid to liquid or from liquid to solid, these elements stabilize the internal temperature until the entire aggregate state of the element has changed and the crystallization energy has been used up
Implementation Method 3
at least one insulating base, at least one insulating cover and at least four insulating walls made of insulating material
Data Source
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AI summary
A modular insulated container for storing goods at constant temperatures. The container has, in an outwardly insulating manner, at least one base, at least one cover and at least four side walls of insulating material, which enclose an inner chamber provided for accommodating the goods in a thermally insulating manner. The at least four side walls are mounted separately with the at least one base and the at least one cover. At least one of the mounted, outwardly insulating side walls has temperature control elements, which face the inner chamber and contain thermal storage fluids, which are separated from the inner chamber by thermally conductive material.