Transport container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transport containers for temperature-sensitive goods face challenges in maintaining a predefined temperature range over extended periods due to the weight and volume constraints of existing cooling systems, particularly in air freight, where passive cooling systems are exhausted and active systems require significant energy and weight.
Innovation Solution
The transport container incorporates a closed-loop cooling system with a heating device integrated into the desiccant, allowing for recharging of the coolant by heating the desiccant to high temperatures, and combines this with a latent heat accumulator to split cooling capacity, reducing the overall weight and volume of the cooling system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If passive cooling systems are used, then weight and volume are reduced, but cooling effectiveness is lost after the phase change material is exhausted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop system where the desiccant absorbs evaporated coolant during cooling operation, then is heated to release and regenerate the coolant for reuse. This recovers the coolant that would otherwise be discarded, enabling multiple cooling cycles without additional coolant supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The system alternates between cooling mode (desiccant absorbs coolant vapor) and regeneration mode (heating device releases coolant vapor). This periodic operation allows the same cooling system to function repeatedly over extended periods, solving the single-use limitation of passive systems.
2Reliability
If active cooling systems are used, then temperature control reliability is improved, but weight and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The desiccant automatically absorbs coolant vapor from the cooling chamber without requiring external control mechanisms. The system self-regulates by allowing the desiccant to passively capture moisture during cooling, eliminating the need for complex active control systems while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits the phase transition of water between liquid, vapor, and absorbed states. During cooling, water evaporates and is absorbed by the desiccant; during regeneration, heating releases the water vapor which condenses back to liquid. This natural phase cycling provides reliable temperature control without heavy mechanical refrigeration equipment.
3Duration of action of moving object
If cooling capacity is increased for longer transport periods, then duration is extended, but weight and volume of the cooling system increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of carrying additional coolant or larger cooling capacity for extended transport, the system recycles the same coolant repeatedly through absorption and regeneration cycles. This allows indefinite extension of transport duration without increasing the amount of coolant or system weight.
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 configuration enables extended temperature control without increasing weight or volume, allowing for efficient cooling over longer periods with reduced energy consumption and maintenance needs, making it suitable for air freight applications.
Implementation Method 1
means for evaporating coolant stored in the desiccant
Implementation Method 2
a desiccant for receiving coolant evaporated in the evaporation element
Implementation Method 3
A special form of passive temperature control elements are latent heat accumulators that can store thermal energy in phase change materials whose latent heat of fusion, heat of solution or absorption heat is significantly greater than the heat that they can store due to their normal specific heat capacity
Implementation Method 4
Water, for example, is used as the coolant, with the amount of heat required for the evaporation of the coolant being withdrawn from the transported goods to be cooled, and the latter being cooled in this way
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
In a transport container for transporting temperature-sensitive goods, comprising a chamber (9) for receiving the goods, a shell enclosing the chamber (9), and at least one cooling element for temperature control within the chamber (9), the cooling element includes an evaporation element (3, 22, 33) with a cooling surface (4), a desiccant (5, 34) for receiving coolant evaporated in the evaporation element (3, 22, 33), and a reservoir (6, 36) for the coolant that can be connected to the evaporation element (3, 22, 33) in fluid communication. Means for evaporating coolant stored in the desiccant are provided in the form of a heating device, and the desiccant (5, 34) is connected to the reservoir (6, 36) for transporting the evaporated coolant to the reservoir (6, 36), the heating device (15, 39) comprising heating coils extending through the desiccant (5, 34).