Temperature-Controlled Packaging with On-Demand Coolant Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of maintaining refrigerated or frozen products at desired temperatures during transportation is costly and inefficient, as equipping delivery trucks with refrigerator or freezer units is expensive and often underutilized, requiring professional drivers and significant maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A package system with a coolant supply unit and electronic monitoring device that activates coolant release between the exterior and interior walls based on temperature thresholds, ensuring products remain within desired temperature ranges without direct coolant exposure, usable in any delivery vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If delivery trucks are equipped with refrigerator or freezer units, then products can be maintained at desired temperatures during transportation, but transportation cost increases due to expensive equipment, professional drivers, and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into modular components: a coolant container, a pump, tubing that distributes coolant to multiple locations within the cargo area, and a control system. This segmentation allows the cooling function to be distributed rather than requiring a single large refrigeration unit, reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining temperature control across the cargo area
Solution Approach 2:
A coolant fluid serves as an intermediary substance that transfers thermal energy from the cargo area to the coolant container. The pump and tubing system distribute this coolant to various locations, allowing temperature control without direct contact between the cooling mechanism and the products, thereby simplifying the overall system design
2Temperature
If delivery trucks are equipped with refrigerator or freezer units, then products can be maintained at desired temperatures during transportation, but transportation cost increases due to maintenance and electrical power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic action through the control system that monitors temperature and activates the pump only when cooling is required. The coolant circulation is intermittent rather than continuous, reducing energy consumption while maintaining products at desired temperatures. The control system activates cooling based on temperature thresholds, creating a periodic on-demand operation pattern
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensors and control logic that automatically monitor and regulate cooling without requiring professional drivers or external operators. The control system self-adjusts coolant circulation based on real-time temperature readings, eliminating the need for trained personnel to manage the refrigeration equipment during transportation
3Temperature
If entire cargo area is frozen to maintain product temperature, then all products remain cold, but coolant usage increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by directing coolant flow to specific zones within the cargo area where products are located, rather than uniformly cooling the entire cargo space. The tubing system can be configured to target particular regions, and the control system adjusts coolant distribution based on local temperature conditions, reducing overall coolant consumption while maintaining product temperature
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses partial action by cooling only the necessary portions of the cargo area containing products, rather than the entire cargo space. The control system modulates coolant flow to provide sufficient cooling where needed without over-cooling empty spaces, thereby reducing coolant consumption while maintaining adequate temperature control for products
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 efficiently maintains product freshness and texture during transport, reducing transportation costs by utilizing any delivery vehicle and minimizing coolant usage, while ensuring temperature control without the need for built-in refrigeration systems.
Implementation Method 1
a coolant supply unit configured to be activated to introduce coolant into a space between the interior package wall and the exterior package wall
Implementation Method 2
an electronic monitoring device including a temperature sensor and a control unit configured to activate the coolant supply unit in response to a detection by the electronic monitoring device that a temperature in the interior cavity is above a predetermined threshold
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a package for cooling a product includes an exterior package wall, an interior package wall coupled to the exterior package wall and defining an interior cavity for retaining the product and an opening for receiving the product into the interior cavity, a coolant supply unit configured to be activated to introduce coolant into a space between the interior package wall and the exterior package wall, and an electronic monitoring device including a temperature sensor and a control unit configured to activate the coolant supply unit to introduce the coolant into the space between the interior package wall and the exterior package wall in response to a detection by the electronic monitoring device that a temperature in the interior cavity is above a predetermined threshold. Systems and methods of cooling a product are also described.