Stackable Chilled Transport Box with Shared Airflow Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for transporting temperature-sensitive products, such as fresh food and medicines, are costly and inflexible, especially for smaller quantities, as they require expensive chilled storage and transportation solutions that are not suitable for varying demand and may not maintain adequate temperature during unforeseen delays.
Innovation Solution
A transport box system with integrated air channels and a cooling device that allows cooled air to be blown through the boxes, enabling efficient cooling of multiple boxes with a single device, reducing costs and improving flexibility by allowing stacks of boxes to be cooled simultaneously, and using a lightweight, easily movable cooling device with a partition that facilitates airflow and efficient heat exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If chilled storage rooms and vehicles with chilled compartments are used, then temperature-sensitive products can be stored and transported, but the cost becomes too expensive for small quantities and distributed locations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the cooling system into modular transport boxes that can be stacked and connected. Each box has integrated air channels that form a continuous cooling pathway when stacked, allowing a single cooling device to serve multiple boxes. This segmentation enables cost-effective cooling for small quantities while maintaining temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport boxes are designed to be stacked vertically with channels that connect between boxes. The cooling system nests within the stack structure, with a single cooling device serving the entire stack. This nesting approach reduces the number of independent cooling systems needed, lowering overall cost while maintaining temperature control across all boxes.
2Quantity of substance
If vehicles and storage facilities are equipped for the greatest anticipated quantities, then large quantities can be handled, but the cost price increases when actual quantities are much smaller
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of transport capacity by stacking different numbers of boxes based on actual quantity needs. Users can scale from one box for small quantities to multiple stacked boxes for larger quantities, avoiding the need to always equip for maximum capacity. The single cooling device can adapt to cool any number of stacked boxes.
Solution Approach 2:
A single cooling device serves multiple functions by cooling any number of stacked transport boxes. The modular design allows the same cooling apparatus to handle varying quantities from one box to many boxes, eliminating the need for separate cooling systems for different quantity levels.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If insulating packaging with passive cold sources is used, then products can stay outside cooled areas for a certain time, but the packaging becomes relatively expensive and mechanically weak
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses active air circulation through integrated channels in the box structure. Cooled air is actively blown through the channels and into the storage compartment, providing continuous cooling rather than relying on passive insulation and cold sources. This approach extends storage time while using standard mechanically strong packaging materials.
4Adaptability or versatility
If insulating packaging is used, then products can be distributed outside cooled areas, but the insulating capacity is insufficient to maintain low temperature for long periods during unforeseen circumstances
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous active cooling through air circulation channels that constantly supply cooled air to the storage compartment. This continuous cooling action ensures temperature maintenance even during extended periods or unforeseen circumstances, overcoming the limited duration of passive insulation approaches.
5Reliability
If multiple transport boxes are cooled with individual cooling devices, then each box maintains temperature, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple cooling functions into a single cooling device that serves the entire stack of boxes. The air channels in each box connect vertically, allowing one cooling device to distribute cooled air through all stacked boxes. This combining approach maintains reliable temperature control while significantly reducing system complexity and the number of cooling devices needed.
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
This solution provides effective and flexible cooling for temperature-sensitive products on a small scale, maintaining product quality while reducing costs and allowing for efficient distribution and storage without the need for extensive chilled infrastructure, even during temporary storage or transport.
Implementation Method 1
the cooling device is arranged to blow cooled air from an outlet nozzle and the outlet nozzle and a channel of the transport box are arranged to connect with one another
Implementation Method 2
the channel is separated from the storage compartment by a partition
Data Source
AI summary
Transport box (1) that, in an empty state, comprises a storage compartment (8) for products (20) and comprises at least one channel (9) that is suitable for air transport, that is separated from the storage compartment (8) by a partition (10), and which forms a connection between the top of the transport box (1) and its underside, whereby the transport box (1) is arranged such that when forming a stack of at least two such transport boxes (1), a channel (9) of a lower transport box (1) connects with a channel (9) of an upper transport box (1).