Phase-Change Insulating Container for Cold-Chain Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cold-chain transportation methods, including insulating containers and refrigerator trucks, face challenges in accurately controlling temperature, leading to issues like local overheating or undercooling, especially during multiple destination deliveries and frequent loading/unloading operations.
Innovation Solution
An insulating container with phase-change insulating sheets made of phase-change material, integrated into the structure along with extruded polystyrene sheets, and a refrigeration system that includes a temperature monitoring and control unit, ensures precise temperature control within preset ranges by absorbing and releasing heat during transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If insulating containers with coolants are used for small quantity cargo transportation, then the container structure is simple and portable, but temperature control accuracy deteriorates leading to local overheating or undercooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase-change materials (ice) embedded in the insulating container walls that undergo phase transition at a predetermined temperature (0°C). This phase change absorbs or releases heat to maintain the internal temperature within a narrow range, automatically correcting local temperature deviations without requiring active control systems, thus achieving accurate temperature control while maintaining portability
Solution Approach 2:
The phase-change materials are pre-positioned within the insulating container structure before use. The ice blocks are embedded in the wall panels in advance, so when the container is deployed, the temperature control function is already activated without requiring additional setup or operation, enabling immediate and accurate temperature maintenance
2Quantity of substance
If refrigerator trucks are used for large quantity cargo transportation, then the transportation capacity is large, but temperature distribution uniformity deteriorates causing temperature differences and partial overcooling or overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerator truck incorporates phase-change material panels (ice blocks) in the wall structures that undergo phase transition at predetermined temperatures. These distributed phase-change elements act as thermal buffers throughout the cargo space, absorbing excess heat in overheated areas and releasing heat in undercooled areas, thereby maintaining uniform temperature distribution across the entire large cargo volume
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies phase-change materials at specific locations within the refrigerator truck walls where temperature control is most needed. By strategically positioning ice blocks in wall panels throughout the cargo space, the system provides localized temperature regulation that collectively ensures uniform overall temperature distribution, addressing hot and cold spots in different regions
3Adaptability or versatility
If refrigerator trucks perform continuous transportation to multiple destinations, then the transportation versatility is improved, but temperature control accuracy deteriorates due to repeated door operations
Solution Approach 1:
The phase-change materials embedded in the container walls provide passive temperature stabilization that automatically compensates for temperature fluctuations caused by door openings. When warm air enters during loading/unloading operations, the ice blocks melt and absorb the incoming heat, preventing excessive temperature rise. This automatic response maintains temperature control accuracy regardless of how many times the door is opened for multi-destination deliveries
Solution Approach 2:
The phase-change materials are pre-positioned in the container walls to provide a thermal buffer before temperature problems occur. The ice blocks act as a heat sink that is already in place to absorb sudden heat influx from door operations, cushioning against temperature spikes before they can affect the cargo, thereby maintaining stable temperature control during frequent loading/unloading cycles
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 solution allows for accurate temperature control of the insulating container, reducing the need for frequent coolant freezing and handling, minimizing manpower and time, and preventing overcooling or overheating, while ensuring cargo safety and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
phase-change insulating sheets made of phase-change material
Implementation Method 2
absorbing and releasing heat during transportation
Implementation Method 3
an extruded polystyrene sheet
Data Source
AI summary
An insulating container comprises a container body and a container cover connected to the container body. The container body and the container cover each comprises a frame and a plate arranged on the frame. The plate comprises, from inside out, an external high strength sheet, an extruded polystyrene sheet, phase-change insulating sheets made of phase-change material, and an internal sheet. A phase-change process of the phase-change insulating sheets cooperates with a refrigeration system of the transportation device to precisely control the temperature of the insulating container and a refrigerator truck to be near a phase-change temperature. In the present disclosure, the phase-change insulating sheets made of the phase-change material remain to be in a solid state before or after occurrence of a phase change, so that the structure of the insulating container does not change with the phase change and a leakage problem of the phase-change material does not exist.