Portable, self-contained cooling device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable evaporative coolers are dependent on external water and power supplies, suffer from poor performance, and have limited battery life, leading to engineering tradeoffs between size and capability.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained electric evaporative cooler with a reservoir, fan assembly, and power source integrated into a portable unit, allowing for one-handed operation and 360-degree swivel capability, powered by a rechargeable battery, which can operate without external connections for extended periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional portable evaporative coolers use external water and power supplies, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability and ease of operation worsen due to dependency on external connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the water reservoir, power source (rechargeable battery), and cooling mechanism into a single integrated portable unit. This merging eliminates the need for external water hoses and power outlets, resolving the contradiction by making the device self-contained (improving reliability) while maintaining manageable complexity through unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable evaporative cooler integrates multiple functions into one device: it contains its own water storage reservoir, rechargeable power source, pumping mechanism, and cooling assembly. This multi-functionality allows the device to operate independently without external connections, improving reliability while the universal design keeps overall complexity acceptable.
2Ease of operation
If portable evaporative coolers are made smaller for portability, then ease of operation improves, but performance and battery life worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a compact, lightweight design with a portable form factor that is easy to move and position. The dynamic balance between size and capability is achieved through efficient component integration, allowing the device to maintain adequate cooling performance while remaining highly portable and easy to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes parameters such as reservoir capacity, battery capacity, and cooling assembly size to achieve the right balance between portability and performance. By carefully selecting and adjusting these parameters, the device delivers sufficient cooling capability (25°F temperature reduction) while maintaining ease of operation and portability.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the cooling device provides extended operation without refilling or recharging, then duration of action improves, but device complexity and size worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a pre-filled water reservoir and a rechargeable battery that is charged before use. This preliminary preparation allows the cooler to operate independently for extended periods (up to 9 hours) without requiring external connections during operation, improving duration of action while keeping the design relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable evaporative cooler is designed to be self-sufficient with an integrated rechargeable battery and water reservoir. The device serves itself by containing all necessary components (water storage, power source, pumping system) within a single unit, enabling extended operation without external service or connections while maintaining manageable complexity through self-contained design.
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
Provides effective cooling and humidity adjustment in various environments, offering up to 25°F temperature reduction and 9-hour operation without refilling or recharging, with a slim profile for easy transport and orientation flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a nozzle disposed to spray the liquid as a mist into the airflow
Implementation Method 2
An evaporative cooler (also known as a mister, swamp cooler, or evaporative air conditioner) is a device that evaporates water to provide local air cooling
Implementation Method 3
a fan configured to generate an airflow, a motor configured to operate the fan
Implementation Method 4
a pump configured to pump the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A portable, self-contained cooling device includes a base, a reservoir fixedly secured to the base and arranged to store a liquid usable for cooling. The device also includes a fan assembly fixedly secured to the reservoir at a location above the reservoir. The fan assembly includes a fan configured to generate an airflow, a motor configured to operate the fan, and a nozzle disposed to spray the liquid as a mist into the airflow. The device also includes a power source configured to power the fan, the power source being disposed at an elevation adjacent to or below the reservoir.