Modular Insulated PCM Containers for On-Demand Cold Chain Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost of maintaining an inventory of passively cooled shipping and transport containers that can provide various combinations of payload, target temperature, duration of thermal control, size, and weight is prohibitive for users, limiting customization and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A modular system of thermally insulated containers comprising differently sized sleeves of thermal insulation and phase change material, allowing for the assembly of various thermally insulated and thermal controlled containers, including single and multi-layered configurations, to achieve desired temperature control and payload sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a full inventory of pre-assembled containers with various configurations is maintained, then users can immediately obtain containers with desired payload, temperature, duration, size and weight combinations, but the cost of maintaining such inventory becomes prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The container system is divided into separate modular components: container bodies, insulation layers, and phase change material sleeves. These segments can be independently stored and assembled on-demand, eliminating the need to maintain complete pre-assembled containers for every possible configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase change material sleeves are designed to nest within the container bodies, and multiple containers can be nested within each other when not in use. This nesting arrangement maximizes storage efficiency and minimizes the space required to store the modular components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pre-assembled container configurations are maintained for different payload and temperature requirements, then users can find suitable containers for various needs, but the complexity and cost of inventory management increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The modular components are designed with standardized interfaces and dimensions that allow them to be used across multiple container configurations. The same insulation layers and phase change material sleeves can be assembled into different container sizes and specifications, enabling a limited set of components to serve multiple functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static inventory of pre-assembled containers to a dynamic assembly system where containers are configured on-demand based on specific requirements. This dynamic approach allows the same base components to be reconfigured for different applications, reducing inventory complexity.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If larger containers with more insulation and phase change material are used, then thermal control duration and effectiveness improve, but the weight and size of the container increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing excessive insulation and phase change material in all containers, the modular system allows users to select the minimum necessary amount of each component based on specific thermal control requirements. This partial action approach optimizes the balance between thermal performance and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design enables different levels of insulation and phase change material to be applied to different container sizes and thermal requirements. Each container can be locally optimized with the appropriate amount of thermal control components rather than using a uniform over-engineered approach across all containers.
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
Enables users to customize and assemble containers on-site, reducing costs while maintaining effective thermal control for thermally labile goods, such as medical supplies and biologics, by utilizing a modular system of nested sleeves of thermal insulation and phase change material.
Implementation Method 1
panels containing a phase change material
Implementation Method 2
phase change material... capable of providing the various combinations of available payload, target temperature, guaranteed duration of thermal control
Implementation Method 3
surrounding the payload retention chamber of the container with panels containing a phase change material
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A modular collection of components from which a variety of thermally insulated and thermal controlled containers (100, 200, 300) can be assembled. The collection includes at least two differently sized sleeves of thermal insulation (120, 220, 320), and at least two differently sized sleeves (110, 210, 310) of phase change material (115, 215, 315) that are nestable with one another to form various thermally insulated and thermally controlled containers (100, 200, 300) with various combinations of available payload, target temperature, guaranteed duration of thermal control, size of container and weight of container.