Refrigeration device for a shipping container, and shipping container

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigeration apparatuses for shipping containers cannot accurately detect temperatures at specific locations within the internal space due to the temperature sensor's inability to be positioned away from the internal wall or oriented in a desired direction, leading to inefficient heat conduction and potential damage from vibrations during transportation.

Innovation Solution

A refrigeration apparatus with a guide member that extends from the casing into the internal space, holding the temperature sensor and lead wire to allow precise temperature detection while reducing heat conduction from the outside and protecting the sensor from vibrations, featuring a curved portion, inclined surfaces, and separate passage members to improve ventilation and assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the temperature sensor is positioned by contacting a stepped portion at the tip end of the cylinder, then the temperature sensor can be positioned, but the tip end of the temperature sensor cannot be located away from the internal wall or oriented to a desired direction in the internal space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor positioning flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member is divided into a cylindrical portion and a distal end portion with different functions. The cylindrical portion provides positioning through the stepped portion, while the distal end portion extends into the internal space to enable flexible sensor orientation and location away from the wall, thus resolving the contradiction between positioning accuracy and positioning flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide member extends from the wall into the internal space, adding a spatial dimension to the sensor positioning. This allows the temperature sensor to be oriented in desired directions and located at specific positions within the internal space, not just at the wall surface, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If the temperature sensor is positioned close to the internal wall for mounting convenience, then assembly is easy, but heat conduction from the outside affects temperature measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly convenienceVSAvoidtemperature measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member acts as an intermediary structure that connects the mounting location at the internal wall to the desired measurement location in the internal space. It transmits the mechanical support from the wall while positioning the sensor at a distance that reduces heat conduction interference, thus maintaining assembly convenience while improving measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the temperature sensor is exposed without protection, then the structure is simple, but the sensor is vulnerable to damage from vibrations during transportation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidsensor protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensor is nested within the guide member structure. The guide member encompasses the sensor, providing protection against vibrations and mechanical damage during transportation, while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that does not significantly increase device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Device complexity

If a straight guide member is used, then the structure is simple, but the temperature sensor cannot be arranged at a specific location while maintaining distance to reduce heat conduction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguide member structureVSAvoidtemperature detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member incorporates a curved distal end portion that extends into the internal space. This curvature allows the temperature sensor to be positioned at a specific location away from the wall while maintaining a compact structure, thus improving measurement accuracy without excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

Enables accurate temperature detection at specific locations within the shipping container while minimizing heat conduction from the outside and protecting the temperature sensor from vibrations, ensuring reliable temperature monitoring and reduced operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

The guide member (60) holds the detector (51) and the lead wire (52). The detector (51) and the lead wire (52) of the temperature sensor (50) being held by the guide member (60) make it possible to detect the temperature at a specific location in the internal space (20). This configuration allows the temperature sensor (50) to be arranged at a specific location in the internal space (20) while keeping a distance that can reduce conduction of heat from the outside.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The air flows around the guide member (60) in a predetermined flow direction. The guide member (60) has a curved portion (72) that is arranged in the internal space (20) and is curved when viewed in the flow direction of the air.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4113040B1Refrigeration device for a shipping container, and shipping container
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4113040B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4113040B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4113040B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A guide member (60) extends from an opening of a casing (11) toward an internal space (20). The guide member (60) guides the temperature sensor (50) to the internal space (20). The detector (51) and the lead wire (52) of the temperature sensor (50) are held by the guide member (60).