Portable air cooler
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic equipment generates substantial heat, which can lead to premature shutdown or damage when used in high-temperature environments, as ambient temperatures in deserts and tropical climates often exceed the cooling capacity of these devices.
Innovation Solution
A portable air cooler designed as a storage chest for ice cubes or dry ice, which uses air intake vents and a baffle to force air through chilled materials, cooling it before exhausting it to cool heat-emitting electronic devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ambient air is used for cooling electronic devices, then the cooling system is simple and portable, but the cooling effectiveness is insufficient in high-temperature environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-cooling air using ice or refrigerated materials before the air reaches the electronic device. The air is cooled in advance within the container, allowing the device to operate in hot environments without requiring a complex active cooling system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses ice or refrigerated materials as an intermediary substance to transfer heat from the air to the cooling medium. This intermediary enables heat exchange between the ambient air and the cooling system, improving cooling effectiveness without directly complexifying the device structure.
2Temperature
If ice or refrigerated materials are used to cool air, then air temperature is reduced below ambient, but water droplets may contaminate the electronic device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes water droplets from the cooled air stream before the air contacts the electronic device. This is achieved through drainage mechanisms that separate liquid water from the air flow, preventing contamination while maintaining the cooling effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses disposable or replaceable ice packs or refrigerated materials that can be replaced when melted. These consumable cooling elements provide continuous cooling capability while their temporary nature simplifies the design by eliminating the need for complex water management systems.
3Temperature
If air is drawn directly from the environment, then the cooling system remains portable and simple, but cooling capacity is insufficient when ambient temperature exceeds device operating limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function with the device housing by integrating ice compartments, air channels, and cooling elements directly into the device structure. This combination provides enhanced cooling capability while maintaining portability and avoiding separate complex cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits the phase transition of ice melting to absorb heat from the air and cooling medium. This phase change provides continuous cooling capacity as ice transitions from solid to liquid, enabling the system to maintain low temperatures without requiring complex active refrigeration.
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
Effectively cools electronic devices in high-temperature environments by providing air cooled below ambient temperature, thereby preventing damage and extending the service life of the devices.
Implementation Method 1
Phase changes of materials such as melting of ice, evaporation of water, or sublimation of dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) may be used effectively to cool air to temperatures substantially below ambient temperature
Implementation Method 2
melting of ice
Implementation Method 3
sublimation of dry ice (solid carbon dioxide)
Implementation Method 4
a baffle which forces air through chilled materials, cooling it before exhausting it
Implementation Method 5
a baffle which forces air through chilled materials, cooling it before exhausting it
Data Source
AI summary
A portable air cooler is fashioned as a storage chest for ice cubes, dry ice, or other pre-chilled articles such as reusable freezable blocks. Sidewalls of the chest include air intakes, and a baffle forces intake air to pass by or through the chilled articles to that the air is cooled by heat exchange. Fans in the chest lid exhaust the cooled air, which may be used to cool waste heat from a heat-producing device lain atop the chest. The lid also includes stand-offs to allow airflow under the device being cooled, and guardrails help maintain the device in position over the fans providing cooling air and prevent the device from being casually knocked off the top of the lid of the chest.