Improved thermally insulating transport box system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulated boxes for transporting temperature-sensitive products are fragile and not reusable, making it difficult to ensure the integrity of the load and maintain the desired temperature range during long-distance transportation and multiple handling processes.
Innovation Solution
A reusable, parallelepiped transport box with fixed insulating walls, an articulated door, and horizontal rails for eutectic blocks, combined with a polyurethane foam insulation layer and a parameter recorder for monitoring temperature and other parameters, ensuring thermal continuity and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing insulated boxes are used for transporting temperature-sensitive products, then thermal insulation is provided, but the boxes are fragile and not reusable
Solution Approach 1:
The box is divided into modular components: a base, four side walls that can be individually assembled, and a top wall. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing, assembly, and replacement of individual parts if damaged, thereby improving reliability without compromising overall strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The box utilizes composite construction with insulating panels formed from an insulating layer sandwiched between two skins. This composite structure provides both thermal insulation and mechanical strength, resolving the contradiction between reliability and strength by combining materials with complementary properties.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the box is designed for reusability and durability, then it can withstand multiple handling and transportation cycles, but the complexity of ensuring thermal continuity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameters for the insulating layer (Shore A hardness of between 30 and 40) and the skins (gelcoat material). By controlling these parameters, the box achieves both reusability and simplified thermal insulation, as the standardized materials provide consistent performance without requiring complex multi-layer systems.
3Temperature
If eutectic blocks are used for temperature control, then temperature range is maintained, but the blocks must be securely held during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The rails are designed to be removable, allowing the eutectic blocks to be easily loaded and unloaded. During transportation, the rails secure the blocks in position, but when loading or unloading is required, the rails can be quickly removed or adjusted. This dynamic design maintains temperature control while greatly improving ease of operation.
4Productivity
If the box dimensions are optimized for air transport, then space utilization is improved, but the internal volume is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The box dimensions are specifically optimized for air transport constraints (external dimensions: height ≤1600mm, depth ≤1600mm, width ≤1210mm) while maximizing internal useful volume (height ≥1300mm, depth ≥1200mm, width ≥800mm). This local optimization of dimensional parameters allows the box to meet air transport requirements while preserving adequate internal volume for the load and eutectic blocks.
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 enhanced integrity and temperature control for the load during transportation, ensuring the desired temperature range is maintained and the box remains intact after multiple handling and transportation cycles.
Implementation Method 1
the layer preferably being a polyurethane foam having a Shore A hardness of between 30 and 40
Implementation Method 2
horizontal rails fixed on inner faces of some of the fixed walls, these rails being arranged to slide eutectic blocks therein in a removable manner
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Transport box 1, formed of a set of insulating walls 7P, 7G, 7D, 7S, 7R forming a front opening 8, an insulating door 6 and horizontal rails 35 fixed on inner faces of wall 7D, 7G, 7S these rails being arranged to slide eutectic blocks 36 in a removable way and hold them against the walls.