Refrigerated Display Case Tank With Integrated Skins and Mounts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional temperature-controlled display devices have storage tanks with multiple components that are costly and difficult to customize, requiring numerous attachments and pre-assembled parts, which increases manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A storage tank design featuring a single-piece inner skin with integrated locating features and a single-piece outer skin with integrated mounts, coupled via structural frames to maintain an air space and receive casters, reducing the number of components and assembly requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional galvanized steel sheet metal is used for inner and outer walls, then structural strength is ensured, but manufacturing cost increases and customization difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tank is divided into inner wall, outer wall, and base frame as separate modular components that can be manufactured independently and assembled together, allowing each component to be optimized separately for cost and customization
Solution Approach 2:
The base frame is integrated with the inner and outer walls through direct coupling features, merging previously separate components into a unified structure that reduces assembly complexity and manufacturing cost
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components (brackets, fasteners, attachments) are used to accommodate components within the tank, then functional requirements are met, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base frame serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, acts as a mounting platform for tank components, and integrates coupling features for both inner and outer walls, eliminating the need for separate brackets and attachments
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional features (mounting points, structural support, wall coupling) are merged into the base frame component, reducing the total number of parts from multiple separate attachments to a single integrated structure
3Manufacturing precision
If base frame and attachments are pre-assembled or coupled prior to attachment to the storage tank, then proper positioning is achieved, but assembly time and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base frame is designed with pre-formed coupling features and integrated mounting points during manufacturing, eliminating the need for pre-assembly operations and allowing direct attachment to the tank components
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling features and mounting points are merged into the base frame structure itself, eliminating separate attachment components and their associated assembly steps
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature-controlled display case includes a storage tank. The storage tank includes a single-piece inner skin having an integrated locating feature formed within and configured to locate a functional component of a refrigeration system relative to the inner skin. The storage tank includes a single-piece outer skin coupled to the inner skin and having an integrated mount formed within and configured to receive a caster for mobilizing the temperature-controlled display case. The storage tank also includes a first structural frame receiving a first end of the inner skin and a first end of the outer skin, and a second structural frame receiving a second end of the inner skin and a second end of the outer skin, wherein by said receiving of the inner skin and the outer skin the first structural frame and the second structural frame are configured to couple the inner skin and the outer skin.