Segmented Cooling Element Assembly for Multi-Shape Object Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooling devices lack versatility and efficiency in cooling various objects, as they are often designed for specific purposes and do not easily adapt to different shapes or sizes.
Innovation Solution
A multi-purpose cooling device with interconnected cooling elements, featuring a flat surface for storage and a concave surface for thermal contact, connected via hinges that can be separated or adjusted, allowing for flexible use as a shelf, bottle cooler, or tray, using a cooling medium and fixing devices like magnets for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cooling devices are designed for specific purposes with fixed shapes, then they can provide stable cooling performance for designated objects, but they lack versatility and cannot adapt to different shapes or sizes of cooling objects
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device is divided into multiple separable cooling elements (first cooling element, second cooling element, etc.) that can be independently connected or separated. Each cooling element has a simplified structure with cooling chambers, and they are joined through connecting portions to form different configurations depending on the cooling object's shape and size requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling device incorporates flexible connecting portions that allow the rigid cooling elements to be dynamically adjusted and connected in various configurations. This enables the device to adapt its overall shape to match different cooling objects (bottles, bowls, plates) while maintaining structural integrity through the flexible connections.
2Ease of manufacture
If cooling elements are made as separate individual components, then they can be easily manufactured and stored, but they require additional connection mechanisms that increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is merged with the cooling elements themselves through integrating connecting portions directly into each cooling element's structure. This eliminates the need for separate external connection mechanisms, as the connecting portions are formed as part of the cooling elements during manufacturing, simplifying both production and assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cooling elements are rigid and fixed in shape, then they provide stable structural support, but they cannot adapt to enclose or conform to different cooling object shapes
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the cooling device have different properties: the cooling elements themselves are rigid to provide structural support and maintain cooling medium containment, while the connecting portions are flexible to enable shape adaptation. This local differentiation of rigidity allows the overall device to be both structurally stable and shape-adaptable.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the cooling device uses multiple separable components with connecting mechanisms, then it can be detached and reconfigured for different uses, but the connection mechanisms add complexity to assembly and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is merged with the cooling elements themselves through integrating connecting portions directly into each cooling element's structure. This eliminates the need for separate external connection mechanisms, simplifying both production and assembly.
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 device provides efficient and versatile cooling for multiple objects, including bottles and bowls, by allowing shape adjustment and easy detachment of components, enhancing its usability and cooling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the cooling elements includes a cavity for a cooling medium
Implementation Method 2
the fixing device is a permanent magnet
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The multipurpose cooling device (101) has several interconnected cooling elements (103) having a planar surface (105) for producing a coolable storage area (107) and a concave surface (109) for producing contacting surface to a cooling object (111). The cooling elements have a cavity for coolant. The separable hinges connect the cooling elements.