Merchandiser including conductive coating to heat frame

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerated merchandisers require high power and longer heating times to reduce condensation on exterior surfaces using continuous frame heaters, which is inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A conductive coating with particles is applied to the exterior frame members, and an electrical connector is used to supply low voltage, generating heat through electrical resistance to prevent condensation without the need for internal heating elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a continuous wire heating element is used inside the frame to heat the exterior surface and remove condensation, then condensation is reduced, but high power consumption and long heating times are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecondensation on frame surfaceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating function is extracted from the interior of the frame and applied directly to the exterior surface where condensation occurs. The conductive coating is applied only to the exterior portion of the frame member that faces the ambient environment, eliminating the need to heat through the entire frame thickness from the interior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating capability is localized to only the exterior surface of the frame where condensation forms. The conductive coating with conductive particles is applied selectively to the exterior portion of the frame member, creating a localized heating zone rather than heating the entire frame structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a continuous wire heating element is used inside the frame to heat the exterior surface and remove condensation, then condensation is reduced, but long heating times are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecondensation on frame surfaceVSAvoidheating time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The heating function is extracted from the interior of the frame and applied directly to the exterior surface where condensation occurs. The conductive coating is applied only to the exterior portion of the frame member that faces the ambient environment, eliminating the need to heat through the entire frame thickness from the interior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating capability is localized to only the exterior surface of the frame where condensation forms. The conductive coating with conductive particles is applied selectively to the exterior portion of the frame member, creating a localized heating zone rather than heating the entire frame structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Temperature

If a wire heating element is positioned inside the frame, then heat is conducted through the frame from interior to exterior, but high power is required to achieve condensation reduction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexterior frame surface temperatureVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating function is extracted from the interior of the frame and applied directly to the exterior surface where condensation occurs. The conductive coating is applied only to the exterior portion of the frame member that faces the ambient environment, eliminating the need to heat through the entire frame thickness from the interior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating capability is localized to only the exterior surface of the frame where condensation forms. The conductive coating with conductive particles is applied selectively to the exterior portion of the frame member, creating a localized heating zone rather than heating the entire frame structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution effectively reduces condensation on refrigerated merchandiser surfaces using less power and shorter heating times, ensuring efficient operation while minimizing user safety risks.

Implementation Method 1

Power is provided to the coating to generate heat through electrical resistance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical resistance heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11484133B2Merchandiser including conductive coating to heat frame

Publication Date: 2022.11.01 HUSSMANN CORP

AI summary

A refrigerated merchandiser includes a case defining a product display area. A frame is connected to the case. The frame has a frame member with an exterior surface facing an ambient environment. A coating is on the exterior surface of the frame member. The coating includes conductive particles.