Perishable Delivery Container With Adaptive Vacuum Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Delivering perishable items requires maintaining them within a specific temperature range during transport, as deviations can lead to spoilage or loss of effectiveness, necessitating a delivery container with adjustable insulation and coolant capabilities to ensure temperature control.
Innovation Solution
A delivery container system with a merchandise storage area, an insulation compartment, and a control circuit that adjusts insulation characteristics based on temperature measurements, using sensors to maintain the desired temperature range, and potentially incorporating dry ice and a partial vacuum for enhanced cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a delivery container uses fixed insulation and coolant amounts, then the container structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying environmental conditions and maintain temperature precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic insulation adjustment by making the insulation layer expandable or collapsible based on temperature requirements. The insulation material can be deployed when high insulation is needed and retracted when less insulation is required, allowing the container to adapt to varying environmental conditions during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state or properties of the insulation material to adjust its insulating characteristics. By modifying parameters such as insulation thickness, material density, or thermal conductivity through mechanical or chemical means, the container can optimize temperature control for different delivery scenarios.
2Reliability
If the container includes adjustable insulation and coolant capabilities, then temperature control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-regulating temperature control where the container automatically adjusts its insulation and coolant distribution based on embedded temperature sensors and control mechanisms. The system monitors temperature conditions and autonomously activates or deactivates insulation segments and coolant release without requiring external control, thereby improving reliability while minimizing operational complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If coolant and insulation amounts are fixed, then the container is easier to manufacture, but it cannot provide flexibility for different delivery scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the insulation layer into multiple independent segments or zones that can be individually adjusted or deployed. This segmentation allows the container to be manufactured using standard components while providing the flexibility to configure different insulation levels for various delivery scenarios, balancing manufacturability with adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the container with multi-functional components that can serve different purposes depending on the delivery requirements. The same insulation mechanism can provide thermal protection during hot weather, while the coolant system can be adjusted for cold chain requirements, making a single container design versatile across multiple delivery scenarios without requiring complete redesigns.
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 system effectively maintains perishable items within a predetermined temperature range during transport, ensuring their quality and usability by dynamically adjusting insulation and coolant levels in response to environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an insulation compartment adjacent the merchandise storage area
Implementation Method 2
modifying the insulation characteristics of the container by modifying a partial vacuum in the insulation compartment
Implementation Method 3
a first temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature in the merchandise storage area
Implementation Method 4
a control circuit configured to receive the temperature measurements from the first temperature sensor during transport and to modify the insulation characteristics of the container during transport in response to the temperature measurements to maintain the merchandise within the predetermined temperature range
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to delivering and maintaining perishable items within a certain temperature range during delivery. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for transporting merchandise including: a container for transporting merchandise within a predetermined temperature range in a delivery vehicle along a delivery route from a source location to a destination location, the container including: a merchandise storage area receiving merchandise and a coolant; an insulation compartment adjacent the merchandise storage area; a temperature sensor measuring the temperature in the merchandise storage area at predetermined time intervals during transport; and a control circuit configured to receive the temperature measurements from the temperature sensor during transport and to modify the insulation characteristics of the container during transport in response to the temperature measurements to maintain the merchandise within the predetermined temperature range.