Refrigeration unit with atmosphere control system access panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refrigerated container systems lack effective control over atmospheric gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide, which affects the post-harvest shelf life and quality of perishables, as they rely on basic refrigeration units without advanced gas regulation mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An integrated atmosphere control system within the refrigerated container, featuring a compressor, condenser, evaporator, and sensors to regulate oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, utilizing a removable access panel for easy maintenance and component mounting, ensuring consistent temperature for improved moisture removal and gas control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If a removable access panel is added to the evaporator section for mounting atmosphere control components, then ease of maintenance and component accessibility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration unit is divided into distinct sections with a removable access panel that provides separate access to the evaporator section and mounted atmosphere control components, allowing maintenance without disassembling the entire unit
2Volume of moving object
If atmosphere control components are mounted on the evaporator section, then space utilization is improved, but temperature uniformity for moisture removal may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The access panel and mounted components are positioned to receive filtered return air at controlled temperatures, creating a localized thermal environment that maintains temperature uniformity while utilizing available space in the evaporator section
3Duration of action of stationary object
If an integrated atmosphere control system is implemented, then shelf life extension capability is improved, but device complexity and initial complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The atmosphere control system components (oxygen sensor, carbon dioxide sensor, air compressor, water separator, filters, and valves) are integrated into the existing refrigeration unit structure, merging multiple functions into a unified system that extends shelf life while managing complexity through consolidation
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 system effectively extends the shelf life of perishables by precisely controlling atmospheric gases, enhancing the refrigeration unit's performance and facilitating easier maintenance through the use of a removable access panel that maintains components at a uniform temperature for improved air processing.
Implementation Method 1
one or more evaporator fans of the refrigeration unit blow a flow of supply air across the evaporator thereby cooling the supply air
Implementation Method 2
a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator configured to circulate a refrigerant
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigeration unit (24) for use with a container (10) includes a compressor, a condenser (28), an expansion device and an evaporator (32) configured to circulate a refrigerant; a condenser section (58) housing the condenser (28); an evaporator section (54) housing the evaporator (32); a removable access panel (110) mounted to the evaporator section (54), the removable access panel (110) serving as a mounting location for at least one component of an atmosphere control system (74).