Transportable active cooling container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transportable enclosures for temperature-sensitive items often fail to maintain desired temperatures due to reliance on ambient air for cooling, which is insufficient in extreme conditions.
Innovation Solution
A transportable active cooling system with an evaporator surrounding the product carrier, a condenser for heat rejection, a compressor for refrigerant circulation, and a controller to maintain setpoint temperatures, along with optional heating and insulation to ensure temperature stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If passive cooling using ambient air is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the temperature control reliability deteriorates in extreme conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the cooling mechanism from passive ambient air cooling to active refrigerant-based cooling, fundamentally altering the thermal control parameters to achieve reliable temperature maintenance in extreme conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the simple passive convection system with an active mechanical refrigeration system including compressor, condenser, evaporator, and expansion device to achieve reliable temperature control
2Reliability
If active cooling system with compressor and refrigerant is used, then the temperature control reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cooling components (compressor, condenser, evaporator, expansion device) into an integrated refrigeration system that works together as a unified mechanism, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigeration system is designed to perform multiple functions: cooling the container, condensing refrigerant vapor, evaporating refrigerant, and controlling temperature automatically through a single integrated system
3Loss of substance
If refrigerant is vented to the atmosphere, then the harmful factors generated by the object increase, but the loss of substance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of refrigerant release by implementing a controlled recapture system that captures escaped refrigerant and returns it to the system, transforming a harmful event into a recoverable situation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a refrigerant recapture system as an intermediary mechanism between the cooling system and the atmosphere, preventing direct release of refrigerant and enabling controlled recovery
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
Effectively maintains temperature stability of temperature-sensitive items during transportation by actively controlling temperature, even in extreme ambient conditions, ensuring safe delivery.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator extending at least partially around the container
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator extending at least partially around the container
Implementation Method 3
a condenser located near a wall of the housing and configured to reject heat from the evaporator to an ambient environment
Implementation Method 4
a compressor to circulate refrigerant between the evaporator and the condenser
Implementation Method 5
a controller configured to operate the compressor to maintain a desired temperature within the container
Data Source
AI summary
A transportable enclosure can include a housing, a power source, a container, an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, and a controller. The container can be configured to receive a temperature sensitive item therein. The evaporator can be disposed at least partially around the container. The condenser can be positioned near a wall of the housing and can be configured to reject heat from the evaporator to an ambient environment through the wall of the housing.