Temperature-Controlled Shipping Container With Vacuum Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature-controlled shipping containers for sensitive goods are bulky, heavy, and prone to temperature fluctuations, especially when using ice, which compromises the integrity of the goods, particularly in extreme environments.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, self-reinforced polymeric material container with an integrated insulated thermal chamber and thermal isolation panel, using vacuum-insulated panels and phase change materials to maintain temperature stability, combined with a temperature sensor for monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ice or dry ice is used for temperature control, then the goods can be kept cool, but the container becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses phase change materials (PCM) that undergo phase transitions at specific temperatures to provide passive temperature control. The PCM absorbs or releases latent heat during phase changes, maintaining stable temperatures without requiring bulky ice or dry ice. This resolves the contradiction by providing effective temperature control with significantly reduced weight compared to traditional ice-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and thermal properties of the temperature control medium by using phase change materials with specific melting points matching the required temperature range. This allows the system to maintain constant temperature through material property changes rather than relying on large masses of ice, thereby reducing weight while maintaining temperature control effectiveness.
2Temperature
If ice is used for temperature control, then the goods can be kept cool, but the temperature becomes unstable as the ice melts
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change materials undergo reversible phase transitions (solid-liquid or liquid-gas) at controlled temperatures, absorbing and releasing latent heat to maintain stable temperature. This phase transition mechanism provides superior temperature stability compared to melting ice, as the PCM can be precisely selected to maintain temperature within a narrow range, ensuring reliable temperature control throughout the transportation period.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensors and control mechanisms that provide feedback to adjust the thermal state of the phase change materials. This feedback control ensures the temperature remains within the desired range by activating or deactivating the phase change process based on real-time temperature measurements, thereby maintaining reliable and stable temperature control.
3Temperature
If active refrigeration is used, then the goods can be kept at constant temperature, but the container becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change materials provide self-regulating temperature control through their inherent thermodynamic properties. The PCM automatically absorbs or releases heat during phase transitions without requiring external power sources or complex refrigeration systems. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for bulky active refrigeration equipment while maintaining constant temperature, significantly reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the temperature control function from complex active refrigeration systems and implements it through passive phase change materials. By removing the need for compressors, condensers, and other refrigeration components, the system achieves temperature control with minimal device complexity, using only the phase change material and simple container structure.
4Strength
If the container is made rugged for impact protection, then the goods are protected, but the container becomes heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs composite material structures combining lightweight polymers with reinforcing elements such as ribbing, arches, or layered construction. This composite approach provides high impact resistance and structural strength while maintaining low weight, as the lightweight materials are strategically designed to provide protection only where needed, rather than using uniform heavy material throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The container design incorporates curved surfaces, domes, or spherical geometries that naturally distribute impact forces more effectively than flat surfaces. These curved structures provide enhanced impact resistance and structural strength while using less material, thereby reducing overall weight. The curvature allows the container to withstand impacts without requiring additional heavy reinforcement.
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
Provides reliable temperature control and protection against impact and puncture, ensuring the integrity of temperature-sensitive goods during transit, suitable for harsh environments and remote locations.
Implementation Method 1
vacuum-insulated panels
Implementation Method 2
integrated insulated thermal chamber and thermal isolation panel
Implementation Method 3
phase change materials
Implementation Method 4
phase change materials to maintain temperature stability
Data Source
AI summary
A container includes an outer container including four sides and a bottom constructed from a self-reinforced composite material and/or self-reinforced polymer material. An inner container including a vacuum packed insulative material. The outer container comprising a single sheet of the self-reinforced composite material and/or self-reinforced polymer material with a plurality of tabs that overlap with a plurality of sides of the container. The outer container does not include any interior overlapping seams.