Convertible Refrigerated Display Cabinet With Movable Screen Wall

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerated display cabinets for assisted and self-service are not adaptable to varying customer traffic conditions, leading to inefficiencies in service delivery and resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerated horizontal display cabinet with a movable upper portion of the screen wall that can be easily switched between assisted and self-service configurations, allowing for safe and accessible customer access while maintaining hygiene and refrigeration efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a high screen wall is used to prevent customer access for hygiene reasons, then hygiene requirements are satisfied, but customer access to goods becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehygiene protectionVSAvoidcustomer access
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The screen wall is designed with a movable upper portion that can be tilted between a first position (preventing access) and a second position (allowing access). This dynamic configuration allows the same structure to serve both hygiene protection and customer access needs at different times, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a low screen wall is used to enable easy customer access, then customer access is facilitated, but hygiene protection is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomer accessVSAvoidhygiene protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The movable upper portion of the screen wall can be tilted to a second position that lowers the barrier height, facilitating customer access during self-service mode. When hygiene protection is needed, the upper portion returns to the first position. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing both states to be achieved as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate assisted service and self-service cabinets are provided, then both service modes are available, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice mode flexibilityVSAvoidcabinet configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single refrigerated display cabinet is designed to perform both assisted service and self-service functions by tilting the upper portion of the screen wall between two positions. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate cabinets for each service mode, reducing device complexity and space requirements while maintaining adaptability to different service needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Stability of the object's composition

If the screen wall is made completely fixed, then structural stability is maintained, but adaptability to different service conditions is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidservice condition adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The screen wall is segmented into a fixed lower portion and a movable upper portion. The fixed lower portion maintains structural stability and support, while the movable upper portion provides adaptability to different service conditions. This segmentation allows the structure to be both stable and adaptable simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

5Adaptability or versatility

If the screen wall is made completely movable, then adaptability is improved, but structural stability and reliability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice condition adaptabilityVSAvoidmechanical reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the screen wall into fixed and movable portions, the design ensures that only the necessary upper portion is movable to provide adaptability, while the lower portion remains fixed to maintain structural stability and mechanical reliability. This segmentation prevents the entire structure from being compromised by the movable element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2471418B1Refrigerated horizontal display cabinet for assisted service commutable for self-service
Publication Date: 2016.10.05 EPTA
  • EP2471418B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2471418B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2471418B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a refrigerated horizontal display cabinet for assisted service commutable for self-service, comprising: a tank 2 which defines a compartment 3 for the display of goods, provided with a parapet 4 on an assistance side 2a; a screen wall 10. associated to the tank on the customer side 2b to prevent access to the compartment 3 from the customer side; - a supporting frame 31,35 which connects the wall 10 to the tank 2. The cabinet is characterised in that the wall 10 is divided into a lower portion 11 and an upper portion 12 and by the fact that the upper portion (12) is connected to the supporting frame (31,35) so that it can be moved between an assisted service configuration to a self service configuration.