Refrigerated logistics box
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current logistics solutions for cold storage are hindered by high-cost, high-fuel-consumption refrigeration vehicles and short-duration thermal insulation boxes, which fail to maintain consistent low temperatures for extended periods, leading to spoilage of perishable goods.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerated logistics box equipped with multiple thermal insulating layers and temperature equalization plates, utilizing a cooling liquid circulation system and a refrigeration device with a superconducting cold pipe and heat sink to maintain a constant low temperature, reducing power consumption and enabling longer duration cold storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a refrigeration vehicle with compressor and internal combustion engine is used, then cold storage capability is improved, but cost expenditure and fuel consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical refrigeration system (compressor, internal combustion engine) with a thermoelectric cooling system based on the Peltier effect. The thermoelectric cooling plate converts electrical energy directly into thermal energy difference without mechanical moving parts, thereby eliminating fuel consumption while maintaining cold storage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy source parameter from chemical energy (gasoline) to electrical energy, and changes the cooling mechanism parameter from mechanical compression to thermoelectric effect. This allows the system to achieve cold storage with zero fuel consumption by using electricity from battery or external power sources.
2Ease of manufacture
If a low temperature insulation box is used, then cost is reduced, but the period of effectiveness is limited to short time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary cooling by placing freeze packs or pre-cooled gel packs inside the insulation box before goods are placed. This preliminary action creates a cold reservoir that extends the effective cooling period without requiring continuous power supply, thereby extending the duration of effectiveness while maintaining low cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines passive thermal insulation with active thermoelectric cooling to create a continuous cooling system. The insulation box maintains temperature passively, while the thermoelectric plate provides active cooling when powered, ensuring continuous temperature control throughout the transportation period without interruption.
3Ease of manufacture
If thermal insulating layers alone are used, then cost is lowered, but temperature maintenance capability deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temperature control function into two parts: passive thermal insulation layers for base temperature maintenance and active thermoelectric cooling plates for active temperature regulation. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliable temperature control throughout transportation by combining both mechanisms working together.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction combining thermal insulating materials (such as foam or air gaps) with thermoelectric cooling elements. This composite structure integrates the advantages of both passive insulation and active cooling, ensuring reliable temperature maintenance while keeping costs lower than full mechanical refrigeration systems.
4Reliability
If refrigeration equipment is installed in logistics vehicle, then cold storage reliability is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical refrigeration equipment (compressor, condenser, evaporator, refrigerant system) with a simple thermoelectric cooling plate based on the Peltier effect. This substitution dramatically reduces device complexity while maintaining cold storage reliability, as the thermoelectric system has no moving parts and requires minimal maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential cooling function from the complex refrigeration system, implementing it through a standalone thermoelectric cooling plate that can be independently installed in the insulation box. This extraction eliminates unnecessary mechanical components while preserving the core cold storage reliability function.
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 solution provides continuous temperature control, reducing power consumption and costs, allowing for efficient cold storage over longer distances without the need for large refrigeration vehicles, thus preventing spoilage and enhancing logistics flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling liquid is channeled into the cooling space from the return inlet flow pipe, causing the cold storage space of the box to lower in temperature
Implementation Method 2
the box is configured with a plurality of thermal insulating layers and temperature equalization plates; the box is separated from outside-in into an outer thermal insulating layer
Implementation Method 3
an inner space surrounded by the temperature equalization plates is a cold storage space
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerated logistics box, consisting of a box, is configured with a plurality of thermal insulating layers and temperature equalization plates. Cooling liquid is caused to enter the interior of the box to maintain a cold temperature therein for a period of time, or a refrigeration device provides the box with a cold source, which continuously transmits cold to the interior of the box, and cooling liquid inside the box is caused to flow back into the refrigeration device to repeat the cooling process. Such a cyclic cooling process maintains the temperature set for the interior of the box.