Portable Cooler Misting Using Recycled Melted Ice
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable misting systems face challenges in operation due to the need for both water and electrical power, which may not be readily available at outdoor events, and discarded melted ice from coolers is typically wasted rather than reused for cooling.
Innovation Solution
A portable misting system that utilizes a pump to recycle spent ice from coolers, converting it into mist for evaporative cooling, with a housing and inner frame design that allows for the containment of ice and beverages, and a battery-powered pump for efficient misting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a portable misting system is designed to operate without continuous water or electrical power sources, then portability and environmental friendliness are improved, but the ability to provide sustained cooling effect is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its own operational byproduct (melted ice water from the cooler) as the misting fluid, eliminating the need for external water sources. The battery-powered pump recycles the melted ice water back into mist form, creating a self-sustaining cooling cycle that maintains portability while extending cooling duration
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the melted ice water from the cooler, the system recovers it by pumping it back through the misting nozzles. This recovery process transforms waste material into a useful cooling resource, extending the cooling effect without requiring additional water or power sources
2Loss of substance
If melted ice from coolers is reused for misting, then water waste is reduced and environmental friendliness is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump serves multiple functions: it circulates melted ice water from the cooler, pressurizes it for misting, and enables the recycling mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall system while achieving water reuse
Solution Approach 2:
The misting system is integrated with the cooler unit, combining the ice storage function with the misting cooling function. The pump, nozzles, and cooler operate as a unified system, reducing component count and simplifying the overall structure while eliminating water waste
3Productivity
If a pump is used to circulate melted ice water for misting, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the need for electrical power increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a small, low-cost battery-powered pump that consumes minimal electrical energy. The battery is designed to be replaceable or rechargeable, allowing the pump to operate efficiently for the duration needed without requiring a complex power generation system, thus maintaining high cooling efficiency while minimizing power requirements
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
Enables effective cooling of the environment without the need for continuous water or electrical power sources, utilizing melted ice from coolers to provide a portable and environmentally friendly cooling solution.
Implementation Method 1
A pump is provided inside the portable housing. The pump is in communication with the inner frame outlet and an outlet of the portable housing to pump melted ice from the inner frame to the portable housing outlet for use as mist
Implementation Method 2
Misters operate under the principle of evaporate cooling. Specifically, misters operate by forcing into their surroundings fine droplets of water (i.e., mist) through small nozzles at high pressure. These fine droplets of water generally evaporate into their surroundings before they reach the ground, and in so doing, absorb heat from the surrounding air.
Implementation Method 3
The inner frame is configured to receive ice and at least one of food and beverage. The method further includes a step of placing ice and at least one of food and beverage in the inner frame, and a step of allowing at least a portion of the ice in inner frame to melt
Data Source
AI summary
A misting system utilizing spent ice comprises a portable housing and an inner frame. The inner frame is secured inside the housing and is configured to receive ice and at least one of food and beverage. The inner frame has an outlet for passing the melted ice. A lid is provided for selectively enclosing the inner frame. The system includes a pump. The pump is inside the portable housing, and is in communication with the inner frame outlet and an outlet of the portable housing. The pump is configured to pump melted ice from the inner frame to the outlet of the portable housing for use as mist.