Cooler Door Latch Control During Temperature Excursions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerated coolers face challenges in maintaining secure access and preventing spoilage due to temperature fluctuations and power outages, as existing locking mechanisms do not effectively manage door closure and opening based on temperature conditions or provide reliable access control.
Innovation Solution
A motor-controllable latch system integrated with sensors and a cooler controller that locks the door when temperature exceeds a threshold, using a combination of AC power and battery backup to ensure continuous operation, and allows remote access control through a network or keypad.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a motor-controllable latch system is used to lock the door during temperature excursions, then food spoilage is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the latch mechanism, motor, temperature sensors, and control logic into an integrated access control system. The latch assembly includes a latch member, motor, and gear mechanism that work together as a unified unit, while the control system merges temperature monitoring and locking control into a single coordinated system that automatically responds to temperature conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The access control system performs multiple functions: it acts as a temperature monitoring system, an automatic locking mechanism, and an access control device. The same latch mechanism that secures the door during normal operation also provides emergency locking during temperature excursions, while the control system handles both temperature sensing and access authorization.
2Reliability
If the door is locked during temperature excursions, then spoilage is prevented, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system transitions between locked and unlocked states dynamically based on temperature conditions. The latch mechanism can be engaged or disengaged by the motor in response to real-time temperature sensor readings, allowing the system to adapt its locking state to current operational conditions rather than remaining statically locked or unlocked.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors temperature through sensors and uses this feedback to automatically control the latch motor. When temperature exceeds thresholds, the system receives feedback and automatically engages the latch; when temperature returns to normal, the latch is automatically released, creating a closed-loop control system.
3Reliability
If AC power and battery backup are used for continuous operation, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery backup system operates periodically rather than continuously - it remains dormant when AC power is available and only activates during power outages. The control system monitors power availability and switches between power sources as needed, with the battery providing supplemental power only during actual outage conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A cooler access control system locks a cooler when occurrence of an event is detected that requires limiting access to the inside of the cooler. Examples of such events include the loss of power to the cooler for a predetermined period of time, the opening of the cooler door for longer than an allowed time, the loss of functionality of a temperature probe and others. In an embodiment, a service mode is supported wherein the door is left unlocked despite the occurrence of such an event, to allow a stocker or other personnel to leave the cooler door open while stocking the cooler with product.