Transportable cold storage container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transportable cold storage containers have limited cooling performance, especially in high summer temperatures, and require bulky handles for mobility, with inefficient power usage and reduced internal volume due to the integration of cooling and power supply components.
Innovation Solution
A transportable cold storage container design featuring multiple Peltier elements with separate power supplies for the elements and fans, allowing independent control and voltage adjustment, along with a caster system and adjustable belt attachment for enhanced mobility and cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple Peltier elements are arranged to improve cooling performance, then cooling efficiency is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into multiple independent power supply units, each controlling one or more Peltier elements. This allows selective operation of individual Peltier elements based on cooling requirements, enabling the system to achieve necessary cooling performance while minimizing power consumption by activating only the required number of elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control where the controller can independently adjust the operation of each Peltier element based on real-time temperature feedback and cooling demands. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize the balance between cooling efficiency and power consumption by activating or deactivating specific Peltier elements as needed.
2Ease of operation
If a dedicated handle is arranged for caster movement, then mobility on flat ground is improved, but the container size becomes larger and bulkier
Solution Approach 1:
The grip portions are designed to serve multiple functions: they can be used for manual carrying of the container and also serve as attachment points for the shoulder belt to enable caster movement mode. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate dedicated handle, maintaining mobility capabilities while minimizing container size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the mobility function from a dedicated handle structure and redistributes it to existing grip portions combined with a shoulder belt system. This allows the container to achieve caster movement capability without adding a separate handle component that would increase size.
3Volume of moving object
If the interior capacity is maximized with limited external volume, then storage space is improved, but structural integrity and cooling performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The Peltier elements are integrated into the door portion structure, and the heat exchange mechanisms are nested within the container walls. This nesting approach allows the cooling system components to occupy space that would otherwise be structural or empty space, maximizing interior capacity while maintaining the structural framework necessary for integrity and cooling performance.
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 design improves cooling efficiency, reduces power consumption, and allows for flexible transportation modes, extending battery operation time and increasing the usable internal volume while minimizing the container's external size.
Implementation Method 1
The Peltier element is a semiconductor element capable of freely performing temperature control such as cooling or heating by a direct current and can generate a temperature difference between both surfaces of the element. By passing a direct current through the Peltier element, heat can be absorbed on the low-temperature side and be generated on the high-temperature side
Implementation Method 2
an outer fan 155 arranged on the outer side (outer wall) of the door portion 130 and used for cooling the Peltier element 151
Implementation Method 3
an interior fan 157 arranged on the inner side (inner wall) of the door portion 130 and used for stirring air in the interior
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The purpose of the present invention is to reduce power consumption and improve cooling efficiency by independently controlling Peltier elements and fans in a transportable cold storage container, and to provide a transportable cold storage container wherein a shoulder belt can be used as a pulling cord during movement by means of casters. Peltier elements are driven by a first power supply unit 80, and fans are driven respectively by second power supply units 81 and 82. In accordance with the temperature inside the container, operation of the Peltier elements is switched between a first driving voltage and a second driving voltage which is lower than the first driving voltage, and at this time the fans are controlled independently from the operation of the Peltier elements; therefore, highly efficient cooling performance can be achieved while minimizing power consumption. Furthermore, it is possible to select a first attachment state, in which first and second belt attachment parts 16 and 17 are used, or a second attachment state, in which transport is possible while casters 88a are in contact with the ground.