Refrigerated Display Case Frame Layout for Better Thermal Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerated display cases face challenges in achieving good thermal insulation with a simple and stable structure, often resulting in complex and expensive designs.

Innovation Solution

The use of C-shaped side frames with heat-insulating outer paneling and a layered structure for the floor, rear wall, and roof groups, along with a support profile system that allows for simple assembly and efficient cooling, including the integration of a fan for air flow management and the use of heat-insulating materials to create air ducts for effective insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If traditional refrigerated display cases use complex multi-layer insulated structures, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation performanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite material construction for the side frames, combining metal profiles with integrated heat-insulating panels. The C-shaped side frames incorporate insulation layers within their structure, creating a composite material system that provides effective thermal insulation while maintaining structural integrity and simplifying the overall design compared to traditional multi-layer approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the side frame structure with the insulation system by integrating heat-insulating panels directly into the C-shaped side frames. This combination eliminates the need for separate insulation layers and complex assembly procedures, achieving good thermal insulation with a simpler, more unified structure that reduces both device complexity and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If refrigerated display cases use simple structural designs, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but thermal insulation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidthermal insulation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The C-shaped side frames utilize composite material construction with integrated heat-insulating panels, achieving effective thermal insulation within a relatively simple structural framework. This composite approach allows the manufacturer to produce cost-effective units without sacrificing insulation performance, as the insulation is built into the frame structure rather than requiring complex multi-layer assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The C-shaped side frames serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural support, define the display case geometry, and incorporate heat insulation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs while maintaining good thermal insulation performance through the integrated design.

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

3Ease of operation

If C-shaped side frames with integrated insulation are used, then assembly simplicity is improved, but structural stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The C-shaped side frames are constructed as composite structures combining metal profiles with integrated heat-insulating panels. The metal components provide the necessary structural strength and stability, while the insulation panels are incorporated within the frame structure. This composite design allows for simple assembly procedures while maintaining structural integrity through the load-bearing metal framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The side frames employ local quality differentiation where metal profiles provide structural support and stability in critical load-bearing areas, while heat-insulating panels are integrated in regions where thermal insulation is prioritized. This spatial differentiation of material properties ensures both structural stability and assembly simplicity, as each material is placed where it provides the most benefit.

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

This configuration results in a stable, energy-efficient, and cost-effective refrigerated display case with improved thermal insulation and cooling performance, allowing for easy assembly and extension of shelves while maintaining a stable structure.

Implementation Method 1

at least the heat-insulating outer paneling (12.3) to be arranged on the inside of the vertical profiles (10.1) facing the cooling chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

the use of heat-insulating materials to create air ducts for effective insulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2887839B1Cooling device
Publication Date: 2018.07.11 AHT COOLING SYSTEMS GMBH
  • EP2887839B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2887839B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2887839B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a cooling unit having, on two sides, supporting C-shaped lateral frames (10), said lateral frames being formed from frame profiles having a rear-sided vertical profile (10.1) and a lower and an upper forward-projecting horizontal profile (10.2, 10.3). A rear wall group (12) having a heat-insulating outer covering (12.3) is mounted on the vertical profiles (10.1), a base group (11) is mounted on the lower horizontal profile (10.2) and an upper group (13) is mounted on the upper horizontal profile (10.3), said groups surrounding a cooling chamber (4) from behind, below and above. The construction is characterized in that at least the outer covering (12.3) of the rear wall group is arranged on the inner side, facing the cooling chamber (4), of the vertical profile.