Temperature controlled container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Temperature-controlled containers with thermoelectric elements face challenges in maintaining uniform temperature distribution, particularly when the size of the coolant compartment exceeds that of the heat transfer element, leading to prolonged heat or cool air transfer times and significant temperature variations within the storage space.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a first heat transfer unit with a heat transfer case wider than the thermoelectric element, featuring a phase change material and a heat transfer body with radially disposed fins to enhance heat exchange, along with a second heat transfer unit and a circulation fan system to promote air flow and uniform temperature adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the size of the drinking water accommodation box (coolant compartment) is made larger to increase cooling capacity, then the cooling capacity is improved, but the heat transfer time is prolonged and temperature variation inside the compartment becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The drinking water accommodation box is divided into multiple compartments (first, second, and third accommodation boxes) with different sizes. This segmentation allows the system to achieve adequate cooling capacity while reducing the overall heat transfer time by creating smaller, more efficiently coolable sections rather than one large compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
Different compartments are designed with different sizes and positions to create optimal local cooling conditions. The first accommodation box has a specific size ratio relationship with the heat transfer element, while the second and third boxes provide additional cooling zones, ensuring uniform temperature distribution throughout the entire coolant compartment.
2Power
If the size of the drinking water accommodation box is made larger to increase cooling capacity, then the cooling capacity is improved, but temperature uniformity inside the compartment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The compartment is segmented into multiple smaller accommodation boxes (first, second, and third) rather than one large box. This segmentation ensures that heat can be uniformly distributed across all sections, maintaining temperature uniformity while collectively providing sufficient cooling capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a multi-dimensional arrangement of accommodation boxes at different positions and sizes. By distributing the cooling load across multiple spatial dimensions rather than relying on a single large compartment, the system achieves both adequate cooling capacity and uniform temperature distribution.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If a thermoelectric element is used to maintain temperature longer, then the temperature maintenance duration is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the phase change properties of water (liquid phase) in combination with the thermoelectric element. The phase change material absorbs and releases latent heat during temperature transitions, extending the temperature maintenance duration while working synergistically with the thermoelectric element rather than adding separate complex systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the thermoelectric element with multiple accommodation boxes containing coolant in a unified integrated structure. This merging of components allows the system to achieve extended temperature maintenance through coordinated operation of all parts, reducing overall device complexity compared to separate independent systems.
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 configuration allows for rapid and uniform temperature adjustment of the storage space, minimizing temperature scattering and supporting the heat transfer unit to prevent damage, while ensuring efficient heat transfer in both vertical and horizontal directions.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoelectric element
Implementation Method 2
a phase change material accommodated in the enclosed space
Implementation Method 3
a heat transfer body disposed in the heat transfer case so as to be positioned in the enclosed space. The heat transfer body includes a first body portion in communication with the portion of the heat transfer case facing the thermoelectric element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A temperature controlled container includes a case which has a storage space formed therein; a thermoelectric element; a heat transfer body in communication with the thermoelectric element and facing the storage space. The heat transfer body includes a heat transfer case which has an enclosed space formed therein and is wider than the thermoelectric element, and includes a portion facing the thermoelectric element; a phase change material which is accommodated in the enclosed space; and a heat transfer body which is disposed in the heat transfer case so as to be positioned in the enclosed space. The heat transfer body has a first body portion which is in communication with the portion of the heat transfer case facing the thermoelectric element and a second body portion, and the first body portion in communication with the second body portion.