Remote-Managed Cold Shed for Off-Grid Temperature Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In regions with limited infrastructure, there is a high rate of spoilage for perishable goods due to the lack of adequate storage and cold chain facilities, leading to significant economic impact on farmers and food availability, as well as issues with temperature-sensitive items like vaccines and medicines.
Innovation Solution
A deployable cold storage shed system with remote management capabilities, utilizing solar power and a monitoring unit that allows for remote monitoring and control of temperature, notifications, and adjustments, ensuring continuous refrigeration even in areas without reliable electrical infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If refrigeration systems are deployed in remote areas with limited infrastructure, then temperature control capability is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to lack of stable electrical infrastructure and power outages
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-chills thermal energy storage materials (phase change materials) during nighttime or periods of available power, storing cooling capacity in advance. This preliminary action ensures that refrigeration can continue during power outages without requiring continuous electrical power, thereby maintaining temperature control reliability in areas with unstable infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the conventional mechanical compression-based refrigeration system with a passive thermal energy storage system using phase change materials. This substitution eliminates the need for continuous electrical power and mechanical compressors, providing temperature control that is reliable in remote areas without stable electrical infrastructure.
2Temperature
If conventional refrigeration systems are used, then temperature control is achieved, but device complexity increases due to requirements for continuous power supply and mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the complex mechanical compression system, electrical controls, and continuous power supply requirements from the refrigeration system. By taking out these complex components and replacing them with simple phase change material containers, the system achieves temperature control with significantly reduced device complexity, making it suitable for remote deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses simple, inexpensive phase change material containers that can be easily replaced or refilled. These passive thermal storage units are simpler and cheaper than conventional refrigeration systems, and can be deployed without complex installation requirements, reducing both device complexity and maintenance burden.
3Adaptability or versatility
If remote areas without infrastructure are served, then accessibility to cold storage is improved, but loss of energy increases due to lack of power infrastructure and frequent power outages
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material containers are self-regulating thermal storage systems that require no external energy input during the cooling period. They automatically maintain temperature through the phase change process, serving themselves without requiring continuous electrical power or active control systems, thereby eliminating energy loss associated with infrastructure deficiencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and stores thermal energy in the form of cooled phase change materials during periods when power is available or ambient temperatures are low. This recovered thermal energy is then utilized during power outages or high-temperature periods, maximizing energy utilization and minimizing energy loss in remote areas.
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 reduces spoilage of perishable goods by providing reliable refrigeration and temperature control, extending the shelf life of products and maintaining the efficacy of temperature-sensitive items, even in remote areas with limited infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
a first energy storage component including a phase change material configured to store thermal energy
Implementation Method 2
an insulated wall configured to reduce heat transfer between an interior of the storage shed and an exterior of the storage shed
Implementation Method 3
A deployable cold storage shed system with remote management capabilities, utilizing solar power
Data Source
AI summary
A cold-shed may be deployed in areas with little or no electrical infrastructure in order to provide a cold storage area for perishable goods including agricultural, dairy products, medicines, vaccines, etc. A wireless communication device may be installed in the cold-shed to allow remote management, access control, and monitoring of the cold-shed devices, including cooling units, solar power cells, batteries, power conditioners, and a variety of sensors to determine internal and external temperatures, door positions, and other information. A mobile device configured to communicate with the wireless communication device may receive information and updates via cellular networks or text messaging. The mobile device may also be used to change temperature settings, lock and unlock doors, conduct inventory management and auditing, and make other changes. The corresponding application allows an owner to manage and monitor many cold-sheds from a single mobile device.