PCM Thermal Shield for Portable Substance Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for maintaining controlled environmental conditions for substances, such as drugs and cosmetics, are often large, require external power, and lack compact designs or means to assess remaining cooling material or substance quantity, making them inefficient and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A portable, handheld apparatus with a thermal insulator and phase change material (PCM) that controls environmental conditions like temperature, humidity, and pressure without an external power source, featuring sensors for condition monitoring and a visual display for user information, including remaining control capacity and substance quantity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current apparatuses are used to maintain drugs under controlled environmental conditions, then the substance conditions are controlled, but the apparatus size becomes large and requires external power supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses phase change material (PCM) that undergoes phase transition at a specific temperature to maintain controlled environmental conditions. The PCM absorbs heat when transitioning from solid to liquid phase and releases heat when transitioning from liquid to solid phase, thereby maintaining a stable temperature environment for the substance without requiring external power or large apparatus.
2Temperature
If cooling packs are used to maintain cooled temperatures, then the temperature is controlled, but large amounts of cooling material are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase change material (PCM) that utilizes latent heat of fusion during phase transition to provide cooling effect. When the PCM transitions from solid to liquid phase, it absorbs a large amount of heat energy without significant temperature change, providing efficient cooling with minimal material quantity compared to traditional ice or water evaporation methods.
3Temperature
If cooling packs are used without assessment means, then cooling is provided, but the remaining cooling material or cooling ability cannot be assessed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a visual indicator that changes color or appearance based on the phase state of the PCM. This allows users to easily assess the remaining cooling capacity by observing the indicator, providing information about whether the PCM is still in solid phase (cooling available) or has fully transitioned to liquid phase (cooling depleted), without requiring complex measurement devices.
4Temperature
If cooling packs are used without substance measurement means, then cooling is provided, but the amount of substance remaining cannot be measured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a sensor that detects the amount of substance remaining in the container and provides feedback information to the user. This feedback mechanism allows users to monitor the substance quantity and plan usage accordingly, without interfering with the cooling function or requiring additional complex measurement equipment.
5Temperature
If compact shapes are not provided for mounting on substance containers, then cooling function is available, but the apparatus cannot be directly mounted on substance or drug container
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling apparatus into separate functional modules: the PCM-containing cooling element and the container-mounted portion with sensor and indicator. This segmentation allows the cooling element to be provided in compact shapes that can be directly mounted on various substance or drug containers, while the mounting mechanism and assessment features are integrated into the container interface, enhancing ease of operation and versatility.
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 apparatus effectively maintains substance conditions over extended periods, is energy-efficient, and provides users with vital information about the substance's status and remaining control capacity, enhancing convenience and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an insulating chamber (such as vacuum insulation—e.g. thermal insulation comprising INSULON® or similar constructed material
Implementation Method 2
an energy absorbing material (such as a phase change material (PCM)) to effect the environmental condition
Implementation Method 3
a phase change material (PCM) configured to thermally regulate at least one environmental condition
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, comprising an environmental control element configured to control at least one environmental condition of a substance contained within a chamber, the environmental control element includes a thermal insulator configured to provide a thermal shield to the substance and a phase change material (PCM) configured to thermally regulate at least one environmental condition. The environmental control element is configured to control the environmental condition without use of an external power source, and the PCM is configured to return to its solid phase without user intervention.