Portable device for cold chain storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintaining the efficacy of vaccines by ensuring they are stored within a narrow temperature range of 2-8°C is challenging, especially in remote areas without reliable electrical power, where establishing a cold chain is difficult.
Innovation Solution
A portable device for cold chain storage is developed, comprising an inner cylinder with phase change material and evaporative coils embedded within, surrounded by a thermally insulated outer cylinder, which uses a compressor and battery to maintain temperature through refrigeration cycles, ensuring vaccines are kept within the desired temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If refrigeration equipment is used to maintain vaccine temperature in remote areas, then temperature control is improved, but device portability and ease of operation deteriorate due to power requirements and system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration system is segmented into modular components: an inner cylinder containing phase change material and evaporative coils, an outer cylinder providing structural support and insulation, and a removable ice pack. This segmentation allows the system to be transported in parts and assembled at the destination, improving portability while maintaining temperature control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Phase change material is pre-frozen before deployment, and the system is pre-assembled with evaporative coils embedded in the material. This preliminary preparation enables the device to immediately begin cooling vaccines upon deployment without requiring on-site power connections or complex setup procedures.
2Stability of the object's composition
If phase change material is used for temperature maintenance, then temperature stability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The inner cylinder containing phase change material and evaporative coils is nested within the outer cylinder. This nested configuration consolidates multiple functional components into a compact hierarchical structure, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining temperature stability through the phase change material.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaporative coils are embedded directly within the phase change material, merging the heat exchange function with the phase change function. This integration eliminates the need for separate cooling mechanisms and simplifies the overall device structure while enhancing temperature control effectiveness.
3Loss of energy
If evaporative coils are embedded in phase change material, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material is formulated with a porous structure that allows evaporative coils to be embedded within its matrix. This porous configuration provides natural channels and spaces for coil placement, reducing the need for precise positioning while maximizing thermal contact between the coils and phase change material for efficient heat transfer.
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 portable device effectively maintains vaccine temperatures within 2-8°C for extended periods, even in areas without consistent power, thereby preserving vaccine efficacy and facilitating vaccinations in remote locations.
Implementation Method 1
The inner cylinder includes phase change material disposed therein, and the phase change material is in thermal communication with the storage region
Implementation Method 2
The inner cylinder includes phase change material disposed therein
Implementation Method 3
The inner cylinder also includes evaporative coils disposed therein. The evaporative coils are embedded in the phase change material
Implementation Method 4
The evaporative coils are embedded in the phase change material
Implementation Method 5
The container also includes a thermally insulated outer cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed embodiments include portable devices for cold chain storage and methods of fabricating portable devices for cold chain storage. In an illustrative embodiment, a portable device for cold chain storage includes a container defining therein a storage region. The container includes an inner cylinder, and the storage region is defined coaxially inwardly of the inner cylinder. The inner cylinder includes phase change material disposed therein, and the phase change material is in thermal communication with the storage region. The inner cylinder also includes evaporative coils disposed therein. The evaporative coils are embedded in the phase change material. The container also includes a thermally insulated outer cylinder. An outer wall of the outer cylinder is disposed radially outwardly of an outer wall of the inner cylinder.