Container for containing perishable goods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for transporting perishable goods, such as biological samples and food, fail to maintain a consistent temperature range during transport, leading to potential damage from excessive heat or cold, and lack effective monitoring of transport conditions.
Innovation Solution
A container with an intermediate wall featuring vent pipe elements and fans for forced-air flow, combined with eutectic plates for temperature regulation, allowing for adjustable temperature maintenance between sections, and integrated sensors and control units for active monitoring and adjustment of temperature and transport conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If passive cooling systems with heat-absorbing devices are used, then the housing compartment can be cooled, but the temperature cannot be maintained within a desired range due to overcooling or insufficient cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the cooling system adjustable and controllable. The heat-absorbing device can be positioned at different locations within the housing compartment, and the fan speed can be varied to dynamically adjust the cooling intensity. This allows the system to adapt to different thermal conditions and maintain temperature within the desired range rather than operating in a fixed passive mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through temperature sensors that continuously monitor the temperature within the housing compartment and feed this information back to the control unit. The control unit then adjusts the fan speed and heat-absorbing device positioning based on this feedback to maintain the desired temperature range, preventing both overcooling and insufficient cooling.
2Temperature
If active cooling components are added to maintain temperature, then temperature control improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the intermediate wall to serve multiple functions: it acts as a structural divider, houses the heat-absorbing device, contains the fan for air circulation, and incorporates temperature sensors. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and minimizes overall device complexity while maintaining effective temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the heat-absorbing device, fan, and temperature sensing elements directly into the intermediate wall structure. This integration consolidates multiple active cooling components into a single unified structure, reducing the number of separate parts and simplifying the overall container design while maintaining active temperature control capabilities.
3Reliability
If temperature monitoring and control systems are implemented, then transport condition monitoring improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the container to autonomously monitor and control its own temperature without requiring external intervention. The integrated sensors and control systems automatically detect temperature conditions and adjust cooling parameters, eliminating the need for complex external monitoring equipment or manual temperature management during transport.
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
Ensures the integrity of perishable goods by maintaining a consistent temperature range from +4°C to +37°C, actively monitoring and adjusting to prevent damage from environmental stressors, and providing secure and efficient transportation.
Implementation Method 1
the vent pipe element comprises at least one fan adapted to create a forced-air flow from the upper opening to the lower opening and vice versa, such that the forced-air flow provides constant temperatures for the samples while they are being transported
Implementation Method 2
Like in prior art containers, a heat-absorbing device, such as one or more eutectic plates, is provided in either section
Implementation Method 3
a heat-absorbing device, such as one or more eutectic plates, is provided in either section
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b~2c
AI summary
Container for transport of biological samples or other materials, such as drugs, vaccines, blood transfusion bags and vials in general or other perishable goods such as food or beverages under controlled temperature, which container comprises a housing compartment (11) for goods, said housing compartment (11) being delimited by one or more side walls (12) and having at least one opening. At least one intermediate wall (2) is provided inside said housing compartment (11) and is adapted to divide said housing compartment (11) into at least two sections (110, 111). The intermediate wall (2) has at least one vent pipe element comprising an upper opening (21) connected to a lower opening (22) through a duct (23), such that the lower opening (22) communicates with one section (110) and the upper opening (21) communicates with the other section (111). Furthermore, said vent pipe element comprises at least one fan (24) adapted to create a forced-air flow from the upper opening (21) to the lower opening (22) and vice versa, such that said forced-air flow provides constant temperatures for the samples while they are being transported.