Temperature regulated apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional temperature-controlled storage systems require large volumes and are inefficient, costly, and can adversely affect mechanical and electronic components due to extreme temperatures, leading to increased maintenance and potential component failure.
Innovation Solution
Individual temperature-regulated containers using thermoelectric components to maintain specific temperature ranges, integrated with sensors and a controller for environmental control, allowing flexible storage and retrieval of items without dedicated temperature zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional temperature-controlled storage systems are used, then temperature regulation is achieved, but large volumes and high costs are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the storage environment into individual temperature-regulated containers, each independently controlling its own temperature. This segmentation allows only the necessary volume (the container) to be temperature-controlled rather than a large dedicated temperature zone, resolving the contradiction between achieving temperature regulation and minimizing storage volume.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature control is applied locally to specific containers rather than to an entire storage space. Each container maintains its own temperature characteristics independently, allowing diverse items with different temperature requirements to coexist in the same storage area without requiring large dedicated zones for each temperature requirement.
2Temperature
If conventional temperature-controlled storage systems are used, then temperature regulation is achieved, but infrastructure and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical temperature control systems (compressors, condensers, expansion devices) with thermoelectric modules that use solid-state semiconductor materials. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy mechanical components, reducing infrastructure costs and simplifying the overall system while maintaining effective temperature regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses thermoelectric modules that change their electrical parameters (current direction and magnitude) to control temperature. By applying voltage in different directions, the same module can heat or cool, providing versatile temperature control without requiring separate heating and cooling systems, thereby reducing infrastructure costs.
3Quantity of substance
If extreme temperatures are used for storage, then storage capacity is maximized, but mechanical and electronic components are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
Different containers are assigned different temperature characteristics based on the specific storage requirements of their contents. This allows items requiring extreme temperatures to be stored in dedicated containers while other items remain in moderate temperature environments, protecting mechanical and electronic components from adverse temperature effects while maintaining storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate temperature environment for storing items containing mechanical or electronic components. Rather than exposing these items directly to extreme temperatures, the system uses temperature-regulated containers as intermediaries that maintain moderate, protective temperature ranges, thereby preserving component reliability while still providing organized storage capacity.
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
Enhances storage efficiency, reduces infrastructure and maintenance costs, and extends component life by allowing flexible arrangement and temperature management of items, minimizing energy consumption and human error.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoelectric module arranged in thermal contact with at least one surface of the container
Implementation Method 2
an inductive charging grid integrated within the base container. The inductive charging grid is configured to induce a current
Implementation Method 3
the one or more sensors may be configured to measure at least one of a temperature or humidity of the interior portion of the base container
Implementation Method 4
air may flow between the interior portion of the base container and a surrounding external environment of the base container
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A temperature regulated apparatus comprises a base container (204). The base container includes at least a base portion, one or more sidewall portions (204a-d), and a lid portion. The temperature regulated apparatus also includes one or more thermoelectric components (202), wherein (i) each of the one or more thermoelectric components are configured to be disposed within the interior of the base container, (ii) each thermoelectric component comprises an exterior surface (202c), an interior surface (202a), and a composite semiconductor layer (202b) disposed between the exterior surface and interior surface, and (iii) each thermoelectric component is configured to, in an instance current flows through the thermoelectric component, transfer heat between the interior surface and exterior surface.