Display Case Door Assembly for Space-Efficient Restocking Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional temperature-controlled storage devices are space-inefficient due to separate large entry doors for bulk restocking and smaller doors for consumer access, requiring unnecessary empty paths that waste space and complicate restocking processes.
Innovation Solution
An access system featuring a vertically-movable perimeter frame with horizontally-rotatable doors that can be raised or lowered, allowing for versatile access and eliminating the need for a separate large door by creating a larger opening for bulk restocking while maintaining consumer access through smaller doors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate large entry doors and smaller doors are provided for bulk restocking and consumer access, then both bulk restocking and consumer access are enabled, but space efficiency deteriorates due to required empty paths
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly is made dynamically reconfigurable through vertical movement. The perimeter frame can be raised to a first position for bulk restocking access or lowered to a second position for consumer access through smaller doors. This dynamic repositioning allows a single opening to serve multiple access functions, eliminating the need for separate fixed doors and the empty paths between them, thereby improving space efficiency while maintaining access versatility.
2Ease of operation
If a large entry door is provided for bulk restocking, then bulk restocking is facilitated, but space efficiency deteriorates and consumer access becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The perimeter frame is designed to move vertically between a raised position that creates a large opening for bulk restocking and a lowered position that closes this opening. When raised, the large opening facilitates easy bulk restocking; when lowered, it eliminates the need for separate consumer access doors. This dynamic configuration allows the same structure to serve both bulk restocking and consumer access functions without requiring permanent large openings that would waste space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixed doors are provided for different access types, then access functionality is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly is designed as a universal access system where the perimeter frame and display case door can serve multiple functions. By vertically repositioning the perimeter frame, the same door assembly provides both bulk restocking access (when raised) and consumer access (when lowered with smaller doors). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated doors for different access types, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining all necessary access functionalities.
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 solution enhances space efficiency by allowing bulk restocking through a single opening, reducing empty space within the storage device and simplifying the restocking process, while still enabling consumer access through smaller doors.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion spring assembly coupled to the perimeter frame and configured to counteract a weight of the perimeter frame and the at least one display case door. The torsion spring assembly is configured to store energy when the perimeter frame and the at least one display case door are moved into the lowered position and to release the stored energy when the perimeter frame and the at least one display case door are moved into the raised position
Data Source
AI summary
An access system for a temperature-controlled storage device includes a perimeter frame and least one display case door mounted within the perimeter frame. The perimeter frame and the at least one display case door are configured to move substantially vertically along a surface of the temperature-controlled storage device between a raised position and a lowered position. The at least one display case door is further configured to move substantially horizontally between an open position and a closed position when the perimeter frame is in the lowered position. The access system further includes a torsion spring and motor assembly coupled to the perimeter frame and configured to move the perimeter frame and the at least one display case door between the raised position and the lowered position.