Convertible Refrigerated Display Case With Sliding Shelves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional refrigerated display cases lack versatility, as they are rigidly configured for specific products, preventing them from being used for multiple purposes, such as displaying both ice cream and pastry in the same setting.
Innovation Solution
A convertible refrigerated display case with a glass compartment that can be adapted by sliding mobile shelves, which can be repositioned or removed to accommodate either ice cream containers or pastry trays, using threaded bars and gear motors for actuation, allowing for a flexible internal structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the display case is configured with a rigid internal structure for specific products, then the functional performance for that specific product is improved, but the versatility of use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the internal shelves mobile rather than fixed. The shelves can be moved between different positions using actuators, allowing the display case to adapt its internal configuration dynamically. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable product display functionality while enabling versatility through reconfigurable shelf arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a single display case that can serve multiple functions through reconfigurable shelves. The same display case can be adapted to display different types of products (ice cream, pastry, etc.) by repositioning the shelves, eliminating the need for multiple specialized display cases and thereby improving versatility while maintaining functional performance for each product type.
2Ease of operation
If the display case is designed with fixed shelves for pastry display, then the display functionality for pastry is improved, but the ability to display ice cream deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shelves are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to be repositioned according to the display needs. When displaying pastry, the shelves are positioned in the rear; when displaying ice cream, they are moved to the front or removed entirely. This dynamic configuration enables the display case to maintain ease of operation for different product types while improving versatility.
3Ease of operation
If the shelves are positioned in the front for pastry display, then the accessibility for pastry is improved, but the visibility of ice cream containers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shelves are positioned dynamically based on the display requirement. For pastry display, shelves are in the rear providing good visibility through the glass front. For ice cream display, shelves are moved to the front or removed to allow customers to see the containers on the bottom. This resolves the contradiction by making accessibility and visibility compatible through reconfigurable shelf positioning.
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
Enables the display case to be easily converted between ice cream and pastry displays, providing a continuous surface for pastry when needed and ensuring customers can view contents, enhancing usability and aesthetics in retail environments.
Implementation Method 1
a gear motor (100) designed to drive it into inverse rotations
Implementation Method 2
two threaded bars (7) with basically vertical direction... the rotation in either direction of the two threaded bars (7) determines the ascending or descending travel of the lower shelf (5)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a refrigerated display case of the type comprising a bearing base and a top glass compartment designed to be alternatively used to display homemade ice cream and pastry, being provided with a horizontal wall above the base designed to house the containers of homemade ice cream and with a pair of shelves designed to support pastry trays inside the front wall of the glass compartment, able to slide together towards the top of the glass compartment in order to be concealed from the sight of customers situated in front of the display case.