Transport container temperature control structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature control systems for transport containers suffer from inefficient cooling due to convection heat transfer methods, which require uniform temperature management across the entire compartment regardless of container size or number, and struggle to handle multiple containers with different temperature requirements without partitioning.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state heat transfer system using heat exchangers for direct temperature control of transport containers, combined with metal heat conduction portions and optional partitioning for multiple temperature zones, allowing independent temperature control of each container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If convection heat transfer method is used for temperature control, then the entire cooling compartment can be temperature-controlled, but the cooling efficiency is low and energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the temperature control system into individual container-level units. Each transport container is equipped with its own heat exchanger and temperature control mechanism, allowing independent temperature management. This segmentation eliminates the need to cool the entire large compartment uniformly, reducing energy consumption and improving cooling efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements local temperature control by providing heat exchangers directly at each transport container. This allows different temperature zones to be created locally within the compartment based on specific container requirements, rather than maintaining a uniform temperature throughout the entire space. The local quality approach optimizes energy usage by cooling only the necessary areas to the required temperatures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple transport containers with different temperature requirements are placed in one compartment, then partition walls are needed to separate temperature zones, but this increases device complexity and reduces space utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The invention assigns individual heat exchangers to each transport container, enabling each container to operate as an independent temperature control unit. This segmentation allows multiple containers with different temperature requirements to coexist in the same compartment without needing physical partition walls, thereby maintaining high space utilization while achieving the necessary temperature zone flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger units serve multiple functions: they provide temperature control for their respective containers, act as thermal barriers between different temperature zones, and enable flexible reconfiguration of temperature zones without structural modifications. This multi-functionality achieves adaptability while avoiding the complexity of partition walls.
3Loss of energy
If resin material is used for transport container, then the container is lightweight and corrosion-resistant, but heat exchange efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs composite construction by integrating metal heat conduction portions into the resin container structure. The metal components are strategically placed at areas requiring high heat exchange efficiency (such as contact surfaces with heat exchangers), while the majority of the container body remains as lightweight resin material. This composite approach optimizes heat transfer performance without significantly increasing the overall container weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies high thermal conductivity material (metal) only where it is most needed - at the heat exchange interfaces with the heat exchanger units. The rest of the container body maintains its lightweight resin construction. This localized application of metal material achieves high heat exchange efficiency at critical points while preserving the overall lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties of the resin container.
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
Improves temperature control efficiency by directly controlling container temperatures via heat conduction, enabling simultaneous transport of objects at varying temperatures without compartment partitioning and enhancing heat exchange efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the refrigerant at the required temperature and the transport container exchange heat via the heat conduction portion
Implementation Method 2
since convection heat is also transferred to the surrounding air on the surface of the transport container
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A temperature control structure for a transport container 10 includes: a temperature control compartment 20 provided in a truck 1; a transport container 10 that is loaded into the temperature control compartment 20, and has a box shape capable of accommodating an object 2, in which at least a part of a wall constituting the box shape is a heat conduction portion 11 made of metal; and a heat exchanger 30,40 of a solid-state heat transfer type that is disposed in contact with the heat conduction portion 11 and controls a temperature of the object 2 via the heat conduction portion 11.