Portable cooling systems, devices, and methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current portable cooling devices are inadequate for maintaining the precise temperature required for refrigerating medications, often failing to accurately control temperature and being unsuitable for travel due to contamination and lack of privacy in shared storage spaces.
Innovation Solution
A portable cooling device equipped with a thermoelectric cooler, temperature probe, compartment fan, and exhaust fan, capable of maintaining a consistent internal temperature through adjustable input voltages, and featuring a secure, insulated design with remote monitoring and power reserve for continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a portable cooling device uses a thermoelectric cooler with adjustable input voltages to maintain precise temperature control, then temperature stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic voltage adjustment to the thermoelectric cooler based on real-time temperature feedback from the probe. The system transitions from static to dynamic operation by continuously modifying input voltage to maintain precise temperature control, resolving the contradiction between temperature stability and device complexity through adaptive control.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature probe provides continuous feedback to the control system, which adjusts the voltage input to the thermoelectric cooler accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables precise temperature maintenance while managing system complexity through automated control rather than manual intervention.
2Reliability
If the device uses insulation and sealed design to prevent contamination, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into sealed internal compartments for storage and separate access points for loading/unloading medications. This segmentation allows the main storage area to remain hermetically sealed for contamination prevention while providing convenient access points that maintain reliability without compromising ease of operation.
3Reliability
If the device provides private, secure storage with controlled access, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system integrates multiple functions including temperature regulation, access control, and monitoring capabilities into a single unified interface. This multi-functionality approach provides secure, private storage with controlled access while managing complexity through consolidation rather than separate independent systems.
4Temperature
If the device uses fans to circulate and vent air, then temperature control is improved, but loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fans operate periodically rather than continuously, activating only when temperature adjustments are needed or when air circulation is required. This periodic operation maintains effective temperature control while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous fan operation, resolving the contradiction between temperature control and energy loss.
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 device effectively maintains the required temperature range for medications, ensuring their efficacy and safety, even in fluctuating external conditions, and provides secure, private storage with remote monitoring and extended power capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoelectric cooler including a first side and a second side opposite the first side
Implementation Method 2
a compartment fan configured to circulate air in the portable cooling device, the air having been cooled by the first side of the thermoelectric cooler
Implementation Method 3
an exhaust fan at least partially positioned in the portable cooling device and in communication with an environment external to the portable cooling device, such that the exhaust fan is configured to vent heat from the second side to the external environment
Implementation Method 4
a probe configured to measure a temperature inside the portable cooling device
Data Source
AI summary
A portable thermoelectric device includes a thermoelectric cooler; a probe configured to measure a temperature inside the device; a compartment fan configured to circulate air in the device, the air having been cooled by a cold side of the thermoelectric cooler; an exhaust fan at least partially positioned in the device and in communication with an external environment, such that the exhaust fan is configured to vent heat from a hot side to the external environment; and a power source configured to receive a range of input voltages. In some embodiments, a first input voltage results in a first temperature differential between an internal environment in the device and the external environment and a second input voltage results in a second temperature differential between the internal environment and the external environment.