Systems and methods for temperature control of consumer products

Abstract

A temperature control system may include a thermoelectric device and one or more solar panels operatively connected to the thermoelectric device. The one or more solar panels may provide solar power to the thermoelectric device. A controller may be operatively connected to the thermoelectric device. A first insulating layer may surround a receptacle and a second insulating layer may include a plurality of channels. The controller may switch the thermoelectric device between an ON state and an OFF state based upon a threshold availability of the solar power. The thermoelectric device may receive forced air convection through the plurality of channels in the second insulating layer to maintain a temperature inside the receptacle when the thermoelectric device is in the ON state and may reduce air circulation within the receptacle to substantially maintain the temperature inside the receptacle when the thermoelectric device is in the OFF state.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A temperature control system comprising:
 a thermoelectric device;   one or more solar panels operatively connected to the thermoelectric device, the one or more solar panels operable to provide solar power to the thermoelectric device;   a controller operatively connected to the thermoelectric device;   a first insulating layer surrounding a receptacle; and   a second insulating layer including a plurality of channels, the second insulating layer disposed between the first insulating layer and the thermoelectric device;   wherein:
 the controller is operable to switch the thermoelectric device between an ON state and an OFF state based upon a threshold availability of the solar power; and wherein 
 the thermoelectric device is operable to:
 receive forced air convection through the plurality of channels in the second insulating layer to maintain a temperature inside the receptacle when the thermoelectric device is in the ON state; and 
 reduce air circulation within the receptacle to substantially maintain the temperature inside the receptacle when the thermoelectric device is in the OFF state. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The temperature control system of  claim 1 , further comprising a power connector operatively connected to the thermoelectric device. 
     
     
         3 . The temperature control system of  claim 2 , wherein the power connector is operable to provide grid power from a grid power source to the thermoelectric device based upon the threshold availability of the solar power. 
     
     
         4 . The temperature control system of  claim 3 , wherein the temperature control system is configured to prioritize the solar power over the grid power based on the threshold availability of the solar power. 
     
     
         5 . The temperature control system of  claim 1 , wherein a cold side of the thermoelectric device includes a heat sink operable to adjust a temperature of the forced air convection. 
     
     
         6 . The temperature control system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more fans operatively connected to the thermoelectric device, the one or more fans operable to provide the forced air convection. 
     
     
         7 . The temperature control system of  claim 1 , wherein the second insulating layer includes a chilled liquid tube operable to be filled with a liquid, and wherein the thermoelectric device is operable to adjust a temperature of the liquid. 
     
     
         8 . The temperature control system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a heat exchanger including a pump, the pump operable to pump the liquid through the thermoelectric device and the chilled liquid tube, wherein the pump is further operable to pump the liquid into a reservoir when the thermoelectric device is in the OFF state to void the liquid from the chilled liquid tube.   
     
     
         9 . The temperature control system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a hot side of the thermoelectric device including a first heat sink; and   a cold side of the thermoelectric device including a second heat sink;   wherein:
 the first heat sink and the second heat sink are operable to cool the liquid. 
   
     
     
         10 . The temperature control system of  claim 1 , further comprising an external device port. 
     
     
         11 . A temperature control system comprising:
 a thermoelectric device;   one or more solar panels operatively connected to the thermoelectric device, the one or more solar panels operable to provide solar power to the thermoelectric device;   a controller operatively connected to the thermoelectric device, the controller operable to switch the thermoelectric device between an ON state and an OFF state based upon a threshold availability of the solar power;   a first insulating layer; and   a second insulating layer including a plurality of channels, the second insulating layer disposed between the first insulating layer and the thermoelectric device;   wherein:
 the thermoelectric device is operable to receive forced air convection through the plurality of channels in the second insulating layer to maintain a temperature within an area defined by the first insulating layer when the thermoelectric device is in the ON state; and 
 reduce air circulation within the area to substantially maintain the temperature within the area when the thermoelectric device is in the OFF state. 
   
     
     
         12 . The temperature control system of  claim 11 , further comprising a power connector operatively connected to the thermoelectric device. 
     
     
         13 . The temperature control system of  claim 12 , wherein the power connector is operable to provide grid power from a grid power source to the thermoelectric device based upon the threshold availability of the solar power. 
     
     
         14 . The temperature control system of  claim 13 , wherein the temperature control system is configured to prioritize the solar power over the grid power based on the threshold availability of the solar power. 
     
     
         15 . The temperature control system of  claim 11 , wherein a cold side of the thermoelectric device includes a heat sink operable to adjust a temperature of the forced air convection. 
     
     
         16 . The temperature control system of  claim 11 , further comprising one or more fans operatively connected to the thermoelectric device, the one or more fans operable to provide the forced air convection. 
     
     
         17 . A temperature control system comprising:
 a thermoelectric device;   a first insulating layer;   a second insulating layer including a plurality of channels, the second insulating layer disposed between the first insulating layer and the thermoelectric device; and   one or more solar panels operatively connected to the thermoelectric device, the one or more solar panels operable to provide solar power to the thermoelectric device;   wherein:
 the thermoelectric device is configured to switch between an ON state and an OFF state based upon a threshold availability of the solar power; and wherein 
 the thermoelectric device is operable to:
 receive forced air convection through the plurality of channels in the second insulating layer to maintain a temperature within a receptacle surrounded by the first insulating layer when the thermoelectric device is in the ON state; and 
 reduce air circulation within the receptacle to substantially maintain the temperature within the receptacle when the thermoelectric device is in the OFF state. 
 
   
     
     
         18 . The temperature control system of  claim 17 , further comprising a power connector operable to provide grid power from a grid power source to the thermoelectric device based upon the threshold availability of the solar power. 
     
     
         19 . The temperature control system of  claim 18 , wherein the temperature control system is configured to prioritize the solar power over the grid power based on the threshold availability of the solar power. 
     
     
         20 . The temperature control system of  claim 17 , further comprising one or more fans operatively connected to the thermoelectric device, the one or more fans operable to provide the forced air convection.