Glass component for refrigeration equipment

Abstract

The present application discloses a glass assembly for a refrigeration device, comprising: at least a first glass plate and a second glass plate spaced apart from each other, the first glass plate and the second glass plate each having opposite first and second edges; a first conductive heating film attached to the first glass plate and a second conductive heating film attached to the second glass plate, first and second connection terminals provided at one of the first edge and the second edge, the first and second connection terminals being respectively connected to the first conductive heating film and the second conductive heating film, and the first conductive heating film and the second conductive heating film being connected to each other at the other of the first edge and the second edge.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of refrigeration, and more particularly, relates to a glass assembly for refrigeration equipment. Background Art

[0002] Refrigerated and frozen products are placed in refrigeration equipment such as display cabinets for sales and display. Generally, display cabinets are equipped with glass doors to provide a visible area for consumers and allow them to access the products. Due to the temperature difference between the refrigeration equipment and the outside world, moisture in the warmer air accumulates on the glass surface of the colder glass door, causing condensation, which hinders consumers from seeing the products in the display cabinet. Therefore, a heating film is added to the glass door to eliminate the above phenomenon.

[0003] Figure 1-2 The structure and implementation of an existing glass door with a heating film are shown. The glass door includes a double-layer glass 1', and an opaque frame 2' is provided along the side of the double-layer glass 1'. The frame 2' can be made of materials such as aluminum, plastic like PVC, etc. A conductive film 3' is provided on the surface of one of the glasses, and cables 6', 7' are connected to two electrodes 4', 5' of the conductive film 3'. As can be seen from the figure, the cable 7' connected to the bottom electrode 5' passes through a side of the frame 2'. Since the frame 2' is opaque, the inside of the frame 2' provides a threading space for the cable.

[0004] Nowadays, a glass door with a transparent frame has emerged. When such a glass door is provided with a heating film to prevent condensation, the routing of the cable becomes a problem because if the cable is arranged inside the frame, the cable will be visible, which is not desirable. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by this application is to provide a glass assembly for refrigeration equipment with a transparent frame.

[0006] The glass assembly for refrigeration equipment includes:

[0007] At least a first glass plate and a second glass plate spaced apart from each other, the first glass plate and the second glass plate each having opposite first and second edges;

[0008] A first conductive heating film attached to the first glass plate and a second conductive heating film attached to the second glass plate, first and second connection terminals provided at one of the first edge and the second edge, the first and second connection terminals being respectively connected to the first conductive heating film and the second conductive heating film, and the first conductive heating film and the second conductive heating film being connected to each other at the other of the first edge and the second edge.

[0009] The first and second conductive heating films function after being powered to eliminate the condensation phenomenon on the glass assembly. Among them, a cable can be led out from the terminal, and the cable does not pass through the frame. Here, the term "terminal" is used to connect the cable to supply power to the conductive heating film. The first terminal and the second terminal can be such that the former is the current input terminal and the latter is the current output terminal or vice versa.

[0010] In one embodiment of the glass assembly, a frame is arranged along the sides of the first glass plate and the second glass plate, and the frame includes at least one transparent side portion.

[0011] In one embodiment of the glass assembly, the first conductive heating film and the second conductive heating film are within the spaced space defined by the first glass plate and the second glass plate. Optionally, the first conductive heating film and the second conductive heating film are provided on the surfaces of the corresponding first glass plate facing the spaced space and the second glass plate facing the spaced space. Optionally, the first conductive heating film is provided on the inner surface of the first glass plate, and the second conductive heating film is provided on the inner surface of the second glass plate.

[0012] In one embodiment of the glass assembly, the frame has two mutually parallel first side portions and two mutually parallel second side portions, the first edge and the second edge are arranged along the first side portion, and the at least one transparent side portion is arranged along the second side portion.

[0013] In one embodiment of the glass assembly, it further includes a conductive structure fixed on the frame, and the first conductive heating film and the second conductive heating film are interconnected through this conductive structure.

[0014] In one embodiment of the glass assembly, there are two of the at least one transparent side portion and they are arranged in the vertical direction.

[0015] In one embodiment of the glass assembly, the first conductive heating film and the second conductive heating film respectively have a pair of current bars. The first conductive heating film is provided with a first current bar at the first edge for connecting the second conductive heating film, and a second current bar at the second edge for connecting one of the first and second terminals; the second conductive heating film is provided with a third current bar at the first edge with the same connection method as the first current bar, and a fourth current bar at the second edge with the same connection method as the second current bar. Among them, the third current bar is used to connect the first conductive heating film, and the fourth current bar is used to connect the other of the first and second terminals.

[0016] In one embodiment of the glass assembly, the glass assembly is used for the door of a refrigerated display cabinet.

[0017] Through the technical solution of two conductive heating films in this application, the cable is directly led out from the connection terminals of the conductive heating film, and the cable does not pass through the transparent frame part. Among them, the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal are arranged at the same edge, and the cable is led out from the same side, which is convenient for wiring, and the two conductive heating films are connected on the other side. The solution of this application thus eliminates the need to pass the cable inside the frame, not only adding a heating film to the transparent glass component to solve the condensation problem, but also improving the aesthetics of the glass component. Consumers can see the goods displayed in the refrigeration equipment through a larger viewing area. The solution of this application also saves the wiring work and improves the assembly efficiency of the glass component.

[0018] The glass component involved in this application has a wider range of applications, especially in environmental conditions with high humidity. For example, a refrigeration equipment configured with the glass component involved in this application can be used in an environment with a temperature of 27°C and a humidity of 70%.

[0019] Another aspect of this application is to provide a glass component for a refrigeration equipment, including:

[0020] A first glass plate and a second glass plate spaced apart from each other, and at least one intermediate glass plate disposed therebetween and spaced apart between the first glass plate and the second glass plate. The first glass plate and the second glass plate each have a relative edge;

[0021] A plurality of conductive heating films attached to the first glass plate, the second glass plate, and the intermediate glass plate, two connection terminals disposed at the edge, and the plurality of conductive heating films are connected in series in sequence at the edge and form a loop with a power source through the two connection terminals.

[0022] In one embodiment of the glass component, a conductive heating film is disposed on one side or both sides of the intermediate glass plate.

[0023] Through the technical solution of multiple conductive heating films in this application, the cable is directly led out from the connection terminals of the conductive heating film, and the cable does not pass through the transparent frame part.

[0024] Through the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, other aspects and features of this application become apparent. However, it should be understood that the drawings are designed only for the purpose of explanation and not as a limitation of the scope of this application, because it should refer to the appended claims. It should also be understood that the drawings are only intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and processes described herein, and unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Referring to the following detailed description of the specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, this application will be more fully understood. The same reference numerals in the drawings always refer to the same elements in the views. Among them:

[0026] Figure 1-2 shows a schematic structural view of a glass component of the prior art, wherein Figure 1 is a side view, Figure 2 is a front view;

[0027] Figure 3-4 shows a schematic structural view of an embodiment of the glass component involved in the present application, wherein Figure 3 is a side view, Figure 4 is a front view;

[0028] Figure 5 shows a schematic view of another embodiment of the glass component involved in the present application;

[0029] Figure 6 shows a schematic view of still another embodiment of the glass component involved in the present application. Detailed Embodiments

[0030] To help those skilled in the art to accurately understand the subject matter claimed in the present application, the following describes in detail the detailed embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] The glass component involved in the present application is used for the glass doors of refrigeration equipment such as refrigerators and display cabinets. Here, the refrigerators and display cabinets can be vertical or horizontal. The glass door can be a rotatable opening door or a sliding door, etc.

[0032] Figure 3-4 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the glass component involved in the present application. The glass component includes a first glass plate 12 and a second glass plate 14. The first glass plate 12 and the second glass plate 14 are separated, and an interval space 16 is defined between the first glass plate 12 and the second glass plate 14. The first glass plate 12 and the second glass plate 14 are rectangular, each having four sides, and a frame 20 is arranged along these sides. Thus, the frame 20 constitutes a support for the glass component. The frame 20 includes two opposite first side portions 22 and two opposite second side portions 24. The first glass plate 12 and the second glass plate 14 each have a first edge 13 and a second edge 15 parallel to the first side portion 22.

[0033] On the surface of the first glass plate 12 facing the interval space 16 and on the surface of the second glass plate 14 facing the interval space 16, a first conductive heating film 42 and a second conductive heating film 43 are respectively provided. The first conductive heating film 42 and the second conductive heating film 43 can be prepared by known processes and plated onto the corresponding glass plates. This is a film having a certain conductivity, high visible light transmittance, high mechanical hardness, and good chemical stability. When energized, it can generate heat.

[0034] Terminals are provided at one of the first and second edges 13, 15 to connect the first conductive heating film 42 and the second conductive heating film 43 respectively. As shown in the figure, the terminals include a first terminal 18 and a second terminal 19, and both are provided at the second edge 15. The first terminal 18 is connected to the first conductive heating film 42, and the second terminal 19 is connected to the second conductive heating film 43. At the first edge 13, the first conductive heating film 42 and the second conductive heating film 43 are connected. In the illustrated embodiment, the above connection of the first conductive heating film 42 is achieved by providing a set of current bars at the first edge 13 and the second edge 15. The set of current bars includes a first current bar 31 and a second current bar 32. The first current bar 31 is near the first edge 13 for connecting to the second conductive heating film 43, and the second current bar 32 is near the second edge 15 for connecting to the first terminal 18. The second conductive heating film 43 adopts the same connection method, and its current bars include a third current bar 33 and a fourth current bar 34, where the third current bar 33 is near the first edge 13 for connecting to the first conductive heating film 42, and the fourth current bar 34 is near the second edge 15 for connecting to the second terminal 19.

[0035] The first terminal 18 and the second terminal 19 are used to connect cables. One of them can be a current input terminal, and the other can be a current output terminal, or vice versa. For alternating current, the input and output terminals can be connected to the live wire and the neutral wire; for direct current, the input and output terminals are the positive and negative poles.

[0036] The first conductive heating film 42 and the second conductive heating film 43 are connected in series at the first edge 13, such as through a conductive structure 39 shown in the figure, and the conductive structure 39 is fixed on the frame 20. The conductive structure 39 can be various known electrical connection forms. At the second edge 15, the first conductive heating film 42 is connected to a cable via the first terminal 18, and the second conductive heating film 43 is connected to a cable via the second terminal 19, such as the first cable 51 and the second cable 52. Thus, the current flows from the second cable 52, sequentially through the second conductive heating film 43, the conductive structure 39, the first conductive heating film 42, and flows out from the first cable 51. Since the cables 51, 52 are both provided at the same edge, the power supply can be set nearby at the second edge 15 for convenient connection.

[0037] The frame 20 has at least one transparent side portion 25. As shown in the figure, two second side portions 24 of the frame 20 are transparent. Thus, the transparent area is increased based on the transparent area defined by the first and second glass plates 12, 14. That is to say, the viewing area visible through the glass assembly is the total area of the first / second glass plates 12(14) plus the area covered by the two second side portions 24. The transparent side portion 25 can be made of, for example, polymethyl methacrylate material (PMMA). The cables 51, 52 are led out from the first and second terminals 18, 19 at the second edge 15 without passing through the transparent second side portion 24.

[0038] When the surface temperature of the glass is lower than the dew point temperature of the air in contact with the surface, condensation fog forms on the glass surface. Condensation fog is the combined product of the surface temperature and the water vapor in the surrounding air. A conductive heating film is provided on the glass plate to eliminate this phenomenon. When the second side portion 24 of the frame is made transparent, there is no place to hide the cable, because if the cable passes through the second side portion 24, it will affect the observer's viewing area and the aesthetics of the glass assembly. According to the concept of this application, the cables are all arranged at the edges, thus avoiding the use of cables inside the frame 20.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, the first side portion 22 of the frame is horizontal and opaque, the second side portion 24 is vertical and transparent, and the cables 51, 52 are led out at the second edge 15 along the first side portion 22; or it is also possible that the first side portion 22 of the frame is transparent, the second side portion 24 is opaque, and the cables 51, 52 are led out from other edges along the second side portion 24.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the glass assembly is a double-layer glass plate, and two conductive heating films 42, 43 are provided on the respective inner surfaces of the two glass plates 12, 14. Of course, the glass assembly can also be composed of more glass plates. Condensation fog appears on the outermost glass plate and the innermost glass plate, such as on the first glass plate 12 and the second glass plate 14 in the illustrated embodiment (when the door is opened, the innermost glass plate has the opportunity to contact the relatively high-temperature outside world, so it is also possible for condensation fog to appear on the innermost glass plate). It is possible to select to apply the conductive heating film on the glass plate where condensation fog may appear. For example but not limited to, in the case of three glass plates, two conductive heating films are respectively provided on the outermost glass plate and the innermost glass plate.

[0041] According to the concept of this application, multiple conductive heating films are provided, and current flows through these conductive heating films in sequence to supply power to them, thereby avoiding arranging cables inside the frame. Figure 5Another embodiment of the glass component related to the present application is shown. The glass component includes a first glass plate 12, a second glass plate 14, and an intermediate glass plate 46. The first glass plate 12 and the second glass plate 14 are spaced apart from each other, and the intermediate glass plate 46 is disposed within the spaced-apart space 16 between the first and second glass plates 12, 14 and is also spaced apart from the first glass plate 12 and the second glass plate 14 respectively. A total of three conductive heating films are provided, namely, a first conductive heating film 42 on the surface of the first glass plate 12 facing the spaced-apart space 16, a second conductive heating film 43 on the surface of the second glass plate 14 facing the spaced-apart space 16, and a third conductive heating film 44 on the intermediate glass plate 46 facing the second conductive heating film 43. The first conductive heating film 42 is connected to the first terminal 18 through a first current bar 31 at the first edge 13, and the second conductive heating film 43 is connected to the second terminal 19 through a fourth current bar 34 at the second edge 15. The first conductive heating film 42 is connected to the third conductive heating film 44 via a second current bar 32 and a sixth current bar 36 at the second edge 15, and the second conductive heating film 43 is connected to the third conductive heating film 44 via a third current bar 33 and a fifth current bar 35 at the first edge 13. Thus, the first conductive heating film 42, the third conductive heating film 44, and the second conductive heating film 43 are connected in series in sequence and form a loop with an external power source (not shown) through the first terminal 18 and the second terminal 19.

[0042] The series connection can be achieved through a conductive structure, that is, a first conductive structure 391 is disposed between the second current bar 32 and the sixth current bar 36 at the second edge 15, and a second conductive structure 392 is disposed between the fifth current bar 35 and the third current bar 33 at the first edge 13.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, there is still no need to thread wires inside the frame. The cables 51, 52 are only externally connected to the first terminal 18 and the second terminal 19, and internally, several conductive heating films 42, 44, 43 are connected to each other.

[0044] The intermediate glass plate 46 may be provided with a conductive heating film on one side as shown in Figure 5 , or may be provided with conductive heating films on both sides as shown in Figure 6 yet another embodiment of the glass component related to the present application shown.

[0045] As shown in Figure 6As shown, a fourth conductive heating film 45 is added. The first conductive heating film 42 and the second conductive heating film 43 are respectively connected to the first terminal 18 and the second terminal 19 for further connection to an external power supply (not shown). Inside, the first conductive heating film 42 is connected to the fourth conductive heating film 45, the fourth conductive heating film 45 is additionally connected to the third conductive heating film 44, and the third conductive heating film 44 is additionally connected to the second conductive heating film 43. The conductive structure includes a first conductive structure 391 connecting the first current bar 31 and the seventh current bar 37, a second conductive structure 392 connecting the eighth current bar 38 and the sixth current bar 36, and a third conductive structure 393 connecting the fifth current bar 35 and the third current bar 33.

[0046] The second conductive structure 392 connecting the third and fourth conductive heating films 44, 45 on the intermediate glass plate 46 can also be replaced by other series connection methods. For example but not limited to, the sixth current bar 36 and the eighth current bar 38 can respectively lead out cables and these cables are connected to each other. The advantage of this connection method is that there is no need to set holes in the intermediate glass plate 46 to pass through the series connection members.

[0047] According to the concept of the present application, by analogy, more glass intermediate plates and more conductive heating films can be provided in the glass assembly.

[0048] Although specific embodiments of the present application have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the principles of the present application, it should be understood that the present application can be implemented in other ways without departing from such principles.

Claims

1. A glass component for a refrigeration device, characterized in that Comprising: At least a first glass plate (12) and a second glass plate (14) spaced apart from each other, each of the first glass plate (12) and the second glass plate (14) having opposite first edges (13) and second edges (15); A first conductive heating film (42) attached to the first glass plate (12) and a second conductive heating film (43) attached to the second glass plate (14); And First and second connection terminals provided at one of the first edge (13) and the second edge (15), the first and second connection terminals being connected to the first conductive heating film (42) and the second conductive heating film (43) respectively, and the first conductive heating film (42) and the second conductive heating film (43) being connected to each other at the other of the first edge (13) and the second edge (15), wherein a frame (20) is arranged along the sides of the first glass plate (12) and the second glass plate (14), the frame (20) includes at least one transparent side portion (25), the frame (20) has two mutually parallel first side portions (22) and two mutually parallel second side portions (24), the first edge (13) and the second edge (15) are arranged along the first side portions (22), the at least one transparent side portion (25) is arranged along the second side portions (24), and there are two of the at least one transparent side portion (25) and they are arranged in the vertical direction.

2. The glass component according to claim 1, wherein: The first conductive heating film (42) and the second conductive heating film (43) are within the spaced space (16) defined by the first glass plate (12) and the second glass plate (14).

3. The glass component according to claim 1, characterized in that: It further includes a conductive structure (39) fixed to the frame (20), and the first conductive heating film (42) and the second conductive heating film (43) are connected to each other through the conductive structure (39).

4. The glass component according to claim 1, wherein: The first conductive heating film (42) and the second conductive heating film (43) each have a pair of current bars; the first conductive heating film (42) is provided with a first current bar (31) at the first edge (13) for connecting the second conductive heating film (43), and a second current bar (32) at the second edge (15) for connecting one of the first and second connection terminals; the second conductive heating film (43) is provided with a third current bar (33) having the same connection manner as the first current bar at the first edge (13), and a fourth current bar (34) having the same connection manner as the second current bar at the second edge (15).

5. The glass component according to claim 1, wherein: The glass assembly is for the door of a refrigerated display cabinet.

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