Portable cooler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable coolers are inadequate for maintaining temperature-sensitive products like vaccines, insulin, and food due to ice melting and potential leakage, making them unsuitable for long-distance transportation and resulting in product spoilage or loss of potency.
Innovation Solution
A portable cooler with a vacuum-insulated double wall chamber, phase change materials, a cooling fan, temperature sensors, and a temperature control system that can maintain desired temperatures, along with a user interface and display screen for monitoring and managing temperature, and the ability to stack for power transfer and efficient cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ice is used to cool the chamber, then the product can be kept in a cooled state, but the ice eventually melts and soaks the products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an absorbent material as an intermediary layer between the phase change material (ice) and the products. This absorbent material absorbs the liquid when ice melts, preventing direct contact between the liquid and products, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining cooling and preventing liquid damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses phase change material (PCM) that transitions from solid ice to liquid water at a controlled rate. By selecting PCMs with appropriate melting points and latent heat properties, the system maintains cooling effectiveness while controlling the timing and amount of liquid release, preventing premature soaking of products
2Length of moving object
If the cooler is designed for long-distance transport, then the product can be transported across long distances, but the temperature cannot be maintained and ice melts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-cools the phase change material before transport to ensure it is fully frozen and ready to provide cooling from the start of the journey. This preliminary action extends the effective cooling duration, enabling long-distance transport while maintaining temperature
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite insulation structures combining multiple materials (e.g., vacuum insulation, foam layers, reflective barriers) to minimize heat transfer. This composite approach enhances thermal performance, allowing the cooler to maintain temperature over extended transport distances
3Device complexity
If a single-use container is used, then the container can be simple in design, but it ends up in landfills after single use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the cooler with removable and reusable components, including the chamber, lid, and phase change material containers. This modular design allows the cooler to be used multiple times with different products, transforming it from a single-use to a reusable system and reducing environmental impact
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables recovery and reuse of the phase change material by providing removable containers that can be refrozen and reused. This recovering approach prevents waste and extends the lifecycle of the cooling system, addressing the environmental concern of single-use containers
4Duration of action of stationary object
If vacuum insulation is added to maintain temperature, then temperature can be maintained for prolonged periods, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the insulation system into separate modular components, including removable vacuum insulation panels and detachable thermal barriers. This segmentation allows for easier assembly, maintenance, and cleaning, reducing the practical complexity despite enhanced insulation performance
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 cooler effectively maintains temperature for extended periods, preventing spoilage and ensuring the integrity of temperature-sensitive products during transport, with features like active temperature control and phase change materials enhancing its cooling efficiency and usability.
Implementation Method 1
The cooler can optionally have a vacuum-insulated double wall chamber
Implementation Method 2
the phase change material in thermal communication (e.g., thermal contact) with the perishable) contents
Implementation Method 3
The cooling fan is operable to cool the chamber and/or the phase change material in the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A portable cooler container is provided. The temperature control system cools a chamber of the container to transport temperature sensitive contents via the container. An electronic display screen on one of the lid and the container body selectively displays an electronic shipping label for the portable cooler container.