Refrigerating Assembly with Insulated Shell to Prevent Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration containers that use a refrigerant liquid to keep items cool in ambient temperatures often suffer from condensation issues when exposed to humidity, leading to wetting of external items and a compromised aesthetic appearance.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerating assembly comprising a container with a refrigerant medium and a shell with a thermally insulating layer, where the shell maintains its outer surface at ambient temperature, preventing condensation and allowing the container to maintain items at a lower temperature while keeping the shell dry and aesthetically intact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a container with refrigerant liquid is used to maintain items at low temperature in ambient environment, then the cooling function is achieved, but condensation forms on the exterior surface when exposed to humidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a shell as an intermediary component between the refrigerated container and the external environment. This shell acts as a mediator that isolates the cold container from humid air, preventing condensation while allowing the container to maintain its cooling function. The shell effectively decouples the temperature maintenance function from the condensation problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into two distinct functional components: the inner container responsible for refrigeration and the outer shell responsible for environmental isolation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the container maintains low temperature while the shell prevents condensation by creating a thermal barrier.
2Temperature
If the container is placed directly in a humid environment for cooling, then the refrigeration function works, but the aesthetic appearance is compromised due to condensation
Solution Approach 1:
The shell serves as an aesthetic intermediary that protects the container's appearance while allowing the cooling function to operate. It mediates between the functional requirement (cooling) and the aesthetic requirement (appearance), ensuring both are satisfied simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If the container is used in humid conditions without protection, then portability and simplicity are maintained, but moisture transfers to external items
Solution Approach 1:
The shell acts as a protective intermediary barrier that prevents moisture generated by the cold container from transferring to external items. It mediates the interaction between the refrigerated container and surrounding objects, blocking harmful moisture transfer while maintaining the container's portable and simple 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
Effectively keeps items cool without condensation forming on the exterior, maintaining the aesthetic appearance and preventing moisture transfer to external items, enhancing usability and appearance in humid environments.
Implementation Method 1
the shell inner surface having a layer of thermally insulating material mounted thereon for thermally insulating the shell from the container
Implementation Method 2
the cavity containing an amount of a refrigerant medium having a second temperature lower than the ambient temperature, the cavity being in thermal connection with the container inner surface
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a refrigerating assembly for temporarily storing an item at a first temperature lower than an ambient temperature. The refrigerating assembly comprises a container for receiving the item and a shell adapted for removably receiving the container therein. The container comprises a sidewall having therein defined a cavity containing an amount of a refrigerant medium having a second temperature lower than the ambient temperature for temporarily maintaining the item received in the container at the first temperature. The shell has an outer surface which is at the ambient temperature and an inner surface which has a layer of thermally insulating material mounted thereon for thermally insulating the shell from the container, thereby maintaining the outer surface at the ambient temperature. There is further provided a method for temporarily storing an item at a first temperature lower than an ambient temperature.