Thermoelectric Heat Pump Assembly With Thermal Capacitance Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a robust, efficient, and self-sufficient thermo-electric device that can maintain a stable thermal environment for sensitive goods during transportation and storage without external power, capable of withstanding shocks and providing adjustable cooling or heating profiles, while minimizing shipping weight and volume.
Innovation Solution
A thermoelectric heat pump assembly with multiple thermoelectric unit layers and a capacitance spacer block, configured for high coefficients of performance, using the Peltier effect to efficiently pump heat and maintain temperature consistency, powered by onboard rechargeable batteries with a microcontroller for temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional refrigeration systems are used for temperature regulation during transport, then cooling capability is achieved, but device complexity and shipping weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical compression refrigeration systems with thermoelectric modules that use the Peltier effect to directly convert electrical energy into thermal energy transfer. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical components such as compressors, condensers, and expansion valves, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining temperature regulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes unnecessary components from traditional refrigeration systems, keeping only the essential thermoelectric cooling elements. By taking out the heavy mechanical subsystems and retaining only the electronic thermoelectric modules with basic thermal management components, the system achieves simplified structure and reduced weight.
2Temperature
If traditional refrigeration systems are used, then cooling capability is provided, but shipping weight and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing heavy mechanical compression systems with lightweight thermoelectric modules, the patent significantly reduces the weight of the temperature regulation system. The solid-state nature of thermoelectric devices eliminates heavy moving parts, directly addressing the weight reduction requirement.
3Reliability
If thermoelectric devices are made robust for shock-proof transport, then reliability during transport improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protective housing with the thermal insulation structure, combining shock absorption and thermal insulation functions into a single integrated component. This merging approach provides robust protection against shocks while maintaining reliability, without adding separate protective structures that would increase complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical protection against shocks, thermal insulation to maintain temperature, and structural support for the thermoelectric modules. This multi-functionality achieves robustness without increasing device complexity through additional specialized components.
4Temperature
If external power sources are used for temperature regulation, then temperature control accuracy improves, but self-sufficiency during transport deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by incorporating rechargeable batteries as onboard power sources that can independently sustain temperature regulation during transport without external power connections. The system can autonomously maintain temperature accuracy using its own integrated power supply, achieving self-sufficiency while preserving control accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-charging the onboard batteries before transport begins. This preliminary energy storage ensures that the temperature regulation system can operate autonomously from the start of transport without requiring external power, maintaining both accuracy and self-sufficiency.
5Power
If multiple thermoelectric unit layers are added to improve cooling performance, then coefficient of performance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the thermoelectric cooling system into multiple discrete unit layers stacked in series. Each layer contains a specific number of thermoelectric modules arranged to optimize thermal transfer. This segmentation allows the system to achieve higher overall cooling performance and improved coefficient of performance while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
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
The solution provides reliable, efficient, and cost-effective temperature regulation for sensitive goods, ensuring their integrity during transport and storage by maintaining precise temperature profiles over extended periods with minimal power consumption and reduced shipping weight and volume.
Implementation Method 1
using the Peltier effect to efficiently pump heat
Implementation Method 2
at least one capacitance spacer block suitable for storing heat and providing a delayed thermal reaction time of the assembly
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to an energy efficient thermoelectric heat pump assembly. The thermoelectric heat pump assembly preferably includes two to nine thermoelectric unit layers capable of active use of the Peltier effect; and at least one capacitance spacer block suitable for storing heat and providing a delayed thermal reaction time of the assembly. The capacitance spacer block is thermally connected between the thermoelectric unit layers. The present invention further relates to a thermoelectric transport and storage devices for transporting or storing temperature sensitive goods, for example, vaccines, chemicals, biologicals, and other temperature sensitive goods. Preferably the transport or storage devices are configured and provide on-board energy storage for sustaining, for multiple days, at a constant-temperature, with an acceptable temperature variation band.