Refrigerated Display Cabinet Airflow Layout Without Perforated Rear Wall

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerated sales furniture designs are complex and costly due to the need for perforated walls and intricate air flow channels, which increases material and production expenses while compromising on efficiency and space utilization.

Innovation Solution

A simplified refrigerated sales furniture design featuring a horizontal air suction channel, vertical rear air suction channel, and cold air channel system with a fan and evaporator, where cold air is directed through the goods presentation space using an air guiding shelf and nozzle to maximize cooling efficiency and space usage without a perforated rear wall, reducing material and production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a perforated wall and intricate air flow channels are used to achieve effective cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity and material costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the complex perforated wall structure from the design. Instead of using a perforated wall to distribute cooling air, the patent employs a simplified air channel system with strategic openings that achieve effective cooling without the need for extensive perforations, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining cooling efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The air flow path is segmented into distinct zones (cooling air channel, goods presentation space, return air path) with controlled transition points. This segmentation allows for simplified structural elements in each zone while achieving effective overall cooling through the organized flow path

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a perforated wall and intricate air flow channels are used to achieve effective cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the expensive perforated wall component from the design. The simplified air channel system with minimal openings requires less material and simpler manufacturing processes, directly reducing production costs while the strategic placement of these openings maintains effective cooling air distribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The air channel structure is merged with the existing furniture framework rather than being a separate complex assembly. This integration allows the cooling system to utilize the furniture's structural elements, reducing the need for additional materials and simplifying the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If traditional air flow channels are used, then cooling coverage is improved, but space utilization decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling coverageVSAvoidpresentation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The air channel is positioned in the vertical dimension at the rear of the furniture, allowing cooling air to be distributed horizontally across the goods presentation space. This vertical placement of the air channel frees up horizontal space for maximum goods display while still achieving comprehensive cooling coverage through the horizontal air flow distribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This design achieves efficient cooling across the entire height of the furniture, maximizes presentation space, reduces energy consumption, and maintains stable temperature performance while minimizing material usage and costs.

Implementation Method 1

an evaporator (46) arranged in the air pressure channel (32)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

a fan (30) arranged in the furniture rear wall (6) between the air suction channel (20) and the air pressure channel (32)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3003095B1Refrigerated sales furniture
Publication Date: 2018.08.15 CARRIER CORP
  • EP3003095B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3003095B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3003095B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

A refrigerated sales furniture (2) comprises a base (4) provided at the bottom of the refrigerated sales furniture (2); a goods presentation space (10) comprising a front portion allowing access to the goods presentation space (10) and an opposing rear portion; wherein the goods presentation space (10) includes a bottom area (12) located next to the base (4); and a cold air channel (48) located next to the rear portion of the goods presentation space (10) comprising a lower portion (54) arranged next to the bottom area (12) of the goods presentation space (10) and having an opening (18) fluidly connecting the cold air channel (48) with the bottom area (12) of the goods presentation space (10) for allowing cold air to flow from the lower portion (54) of the cold air channel (48) into the bottom area (12) of the goods presentation space (10). The opening (18) is provided as a single opening (18) extending substantially over the whole height and width of the bottom area (12), respectively.