Stackable Totes with Integrated Ducts for Modular Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for storing and handling items at non-ambient temperatures are inefficient and can damage equipment or create uncomfortable conditions for humans, as they often require controlled warehouse spaces that are costly and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
The use of stackable totes with integrated ducts and conditioning features that allow for items to be maintained at desired temperatures and conditions without the need for individual heating or cooling systems, utilizing a common gas conditioning system to provide conditioned gas to multiple totes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If items are stored in cooled warehouse spaces to maintain low temperatures, then items can be kept at suitable temperatures, but equipment may be damaged by condensation and lubricants become less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the storage system into individual insulated totes, each capable of maintaining its own internal temperature environment. This segmentation allows each tote to be temperature-controlled independently without requiring the entire warehouse space to be cooled, thereby protecting equipment from condensation damage while maintaining appropriate storage temperatures for items.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary thermal insulation layer in the form of insulated tote walls and doors. This intermediary barrier separates the items requiring temperature control from the warehouse environment, allowing temperature maintenance without direct exposure to harmful cooled space conditions that affect equipment.
2Temperature
If individual heating or cooling systems are installed in each tote, then temperature control can be achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple totes into stacks where the cold wall units serve dual purposes: they provide structural support between totes and simultaneously function as thermal insulation barriers. This combining of structural and thermal functions reduces the need for separate heating/cooling systems in each tote while maintaining temperature control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The cold wall units are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as structural separators between stacked totes and as thermal insulation elements. This universal design eliminates the need for separate structural and thermal control systems, reducing overall device complexity while achieving temperature control.
3Loss of energy
If totes include insulated walls and doors, then heat transfer between interior and exterior is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation system is segmented into modular cold wall units that can be independently manufactured and then assembled between totes. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of individual components that are then combined to create the complete insulated structure, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective thermal barriers.
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
Enables efficient storage and handling of items at varying temperatures and conditions within a standard warehouse environment, reducing equipment damage and improving operator comfort while minimizing resource consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the conditioning feature may be configured to exchange heat between the duct and the interior space to heat, cool or otherwise condition the interior space relative to an exterior environment
Implementation Method 2
A duct may be supported by one or more sidewalls, e.g., a duct may extend within a sidewall from the bottom wall to the upper end of the sidewall, and be configured to conduct flow of gas through the duct
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and method for fluidly coupling item storage totes to a conditioning system, e.g., to heat, cool or otherwise condition the interior spaces of the totes. Totes may be stacked vertically and ducts of the totes fluidly coupled so conditioned gas can flow between totes and the conditioning system. Locating features on upper and lower surfaces of totes may aid in locating stacked totes relative to each other and/or in fluidly coupling totes with each other.