Inward-Hinged Display Chiller Doors for Full Shelf Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display chillers face challenges in being installed in small spaces due to oversized closing systems, limited access to shelves, and excessive energy consumption and wear from cold air dispersion when doors are not properly closed.
Innovation Solution
A display chiller design featuring a pair of transparent, hinged doors with motor-driven operation and automatic control using photocells or pushbuttons, allowing independent opening and closing of pairs of doors to maximize access and minimize energy loss by ensuring hermetic sealing and efficient air circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If transparent sliding doors are used to reduce overall dimensions, then the chiller can be installed in smaller spaces, but the front opening cannot be fully uncovered limiting access to shelves
Solution Approach 1:
The front opening is divided into multiple independent door sections (first pair and second pair of doors) that can operate independently. This segmentation allows different portions of the front opening to be opened simultaneously, providing full access to shelves while keeping each individual door compact in size.
2Loss of energy
If transparent sealing doors are used to maintain low temperature, then energy loss is reduced, but additional space is required for door storage when open
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of hinging doors on the outer edges (conventional approach), the doors are hinged on inner edges positioned away from the front opening. This inverted hinging arrangement allows doors to swing open within the containment structure's footprint, eliminating the need for additional external storage space while maintaining sealing capability.
3Ease of operation
If consumers manually close doors after use, then operation is simple, but cold air dispersion occurs when doors are not reclosed
Solution Approach 1:
The door closing system incorporates return springs that automatically return doors to the closed position after opening. This self-service mechanism ensures doors are consistently reclosed without requiring consumer action, preventing cold air dispersion while maintaining simple initial operation for the consumer.
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
Enables installation in small spaces with enhanced accessibility and reduced energy consumption by maintaining thermal insulation and allowing simultaneous access to all shelves while minimizing cold air dispersion.
Implementation Method 1
automatic control using photocells or pushbuttons
Implementation Method 2
maintaining thermal insulation and allowing simultaneous access to all shelves while minimizing cold air dispersion
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Described is a display chiller comprising internally a containment compartment (3) equipped with shelves (7), a front opening (5) for allowing access to the containment compartment (3), and at least a pair of doors (6) hinged about respective axes (X) and openable towards the inside of the containment compartment (3) so as to use the gap (8) existing between the shelves (7) and the doors (6) and designed for the circulation of cooling air.