Intra-container controlled environment systems and methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current storage containers lack effective control over temperature, humidity, and odor, leading to suboptimal preservation of sensitive items such as cannabis, food, and artwork, with limitations in maintaining a controlled environment for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained controlled environment system comprising an enclosure and an environmental control unit (ECU) that regulates temperature, humidity, and odor, using a Peltier heat pump, condenser, and warmer to maintain optimal conditions, with remote sensors and a power management system for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a self-contained controlled environment system with Peltier heat pump, condenser, and warmer is used, then temperature and humidity control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple environmental control functions (heating, cooling, dehumidification) into a single integrated ECU unit that houses the Peltier heat pump, condenser, warmer, and control electronics together. This merging approach improves reliability by ensuring all components work as a coordinated system while managing complexity through integrated design rather than separate distributed components.
Solution Approach 2:
The ECU is designed as a multi-functional device that can simultaneously perform heating via the warmer, cooling via the Peltier heat pump, and dehumidification via the condenser. This universal design allows a single device to handle multiple environmental control needs, improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity compared to multiple separate devices.
2Reliability
If active environmental control components are added to maintain temperature and humidity, then preservation quality is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters such as heater power, Peltier pump current, and condenser activation based on real-time sensor feedback from the payload chamber. This allows the system to maintain preservation quality by using only the necessary energy required to correct environmental deviations, rather than continuous full-power operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature and humidity sensors continuously monitor the payload chamber environment and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables the ECU to activate heating, cooling, or dehumidification functions only when and to the extent needed to maintain target conditions, optimizing energy consumption while preserving quality.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the enclosure is made substantially airtight to control odor, then odor leakage is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a controlled internal environment within the enclosure that manages odor through active environmental control rather than relying solely on passive sealing. The ECU can control air circulation, temperature, and humidity to minimize odor generation and containment, reducing the stringency of airtight sealing requirements while still achieving odor control goals.
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 extends storage times by optimizing preservation conditions, reducing mold and bacteria growth, and maintaining aroma and potency, while minimizing energy consumption and odor leakage.
Implementation Method 1
the ECU may include a Peltier heat pump
Implementation Method 2
a condenser to remove moisture from the air
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods including a container assembly configured to maintain a controlled environment for storing a product therein are disclosed. Controlled environmental parameters may include at least one of the following: temperature, humidity, payload moisture content, solar radiation, magnetism, microwave, or light illumination. In certain implementations, the system includes a payload chamber and a self-contained environmental control unit (ECU) that may be coupled to the payload chamber using a substantially airtight seal. In certain embodiments, the ECU may include a condenser, a humidity controller, a liquid tank and a power source. Certain embodiments may include a warmer, temperature and/or humidity sensors, and/or a lock. Various combinations of the foregoing components and features may be incorporated, depending on the requirements of each particular implementation.