Portable Phase-Change Thermal Regulator Without External Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current apparatuses for controlling environmental conditions for sensitive substances, such as drugs and cosmetics, are large, require external power, and lack compact designs or means to assess remaining cooling material or substance quantity, making them inefficient and inconvenient for portable use.
Innovation Solution
A compact, portable apparatus with a thermal insulator and phase change material (PCM) that controls environmental conditions like temperature, humidity, and pressure without an external power source, featuring sensors for condition monitoring and a visual display for user information, including remaining control capacity and substance quantity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current apparatuses are used to control environmental conditions, then environmental control capability is provided, but the apparatus size becomes large and portability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the substance container inside the enclosure, and the PCM container inside the enclosure as well, creating a nested configuration where multiple functional elements are contained within each other to maximize space utilization and minimize overall apparatus volume
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an enclosure with walls that form a compact protective shell around the substance container and PCM container, providing environmental control while maintaining a small, portable form factor through efficient use of thin-walled structural elements
2Temperature
If current apparatuses are used to control environmental conditions, then temperature control is achieved, but external power supply is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase change material's inherent ability to absorb and release heat during phase transitions, allowing the system to self-regulate temperature without requiring external power sources, batteries, or active cooling mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a phase change material that transitions between solid and liquid phases at specific temperatures, utilizing the latent heat of fusion to maintain temperature control within the enclosure - the PCM absorbs heat when melting and releases heat when freezing, providing passive thermal regulation
3Temperature
If cooling packs are used to maintain cooled temperatures, then temperature control is provided, but large amounts of cooling material are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a phase change material contained in a dedicated container that undergoes phase transition at the desired temperature point, providing efficient cooling through latent heat absorption during melting, which is more compact and effective than traditional ice packs requiring large volumes of water or ice
Solution Approach 2:
The PCM container is nested within the enclosure, optimizing the arrangement to minimize the quantity of cooling material needed while maximizing the cooling efficiency through direct thermal coupling with the substance container
4Temperature
If cooling packs are used for temperature control, then cooling capability is provided, but means to assess remaining cooling material is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a visual indicator system that changes color or provides visual feedback based on the phase state of the PCM, allowing users to easily assess the remaining cooling capability - for example, the indicator shows one color when PCM is solid (cooling available) and another color when PCM is liquid (cooling depleted)
5Temperature
If cooling packs are used for temperature control, then cooling function is provided, but means to measure substance quantity is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that detect the quantity of substance in the substance container and provide feedback through the user interface, enabling users to monitor how much substance remains alongside the temperature control functionality
6Temperature
If cooling packs are used for temperature control, then cooling capability is provided, but compact shape for direct mounting is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the substance container to fit inside the enclosure, and the PCM container to fit inside the enclosure as well, creating a compact nested arrangement that can be directly mounted on or near the substance for efficient thermal control
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure is designed with a compact, portable form factor using thin-walled structural elements that provide protective housing while minimizing overall dimensions, allowing the device to be easily carried and mounted in various locations
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 apparatus effectively maintains environmental conditions for sensitive substances over extended periods without external power, providing real-time monitoring and user feedback, ensuring substance efficacy and convenience through its compact, self-recharging design.
Implementation Method 1
a phase change material (PCM) configured to thermally regulate at least one environmental condition
Implementation Method 2
a phase change material (PCM) configured to thermally regulate
Implementation Method 3
an insulating chamber (such as vacuum insulation - e.g. thermal insulation comprising INSULON®)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An apparatus, comprising an environmental control element configured to control at least one environmental condition of a substance contained within a chamber, the environmental control element includes a thermal insulator configured to provide a thermal shield to the substance and a phase change material (PCM) configured to thermally regulate at least one environmental condition. The environmental control element is configured to control the environmental condition without use of an external power source, thereby allowing the apparatus to be thermally self-recharging.