Refrigerated Display Case Door With Transparent Peripheral Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerated enclosure doors face a trade-off between improved insulation and reduced viewable area and aesthetic appearance, as opaque thermal sealing materials can obstruct the view and affect the appearance.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerated display case door design featuring a panel assembly with two panes of glass bounded by a sealed space, using a peripheral seal composed of both opaque and transparent materials, where the transparent material has higher visible light transmittance, and edge guards to enhance visibility and aesthetics, with the option of vacuum insulation or gas filling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If opaque thermal sealing materials are used to improve insulation, then thermal insulation is improved, but viewable area and aesthetic appearance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different optical properties to different portions of the sealing material. The peripheral seal includes an opaque portion at the edge (for thermal insulation) and a transparent portion at the periphery (for visibility). This local differentiation allows each region to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral seal is constructed as a composite structure combining opaque and transparent materials or regions. This composite approach enables the seal to simultaneously provide thermal insulation (through the opaque portion) and maintain visibility (through the transparent portion), resolving the contradiction between insulation and viewable area.
2Loss of energy
If opaque thermal sealing materials are used to improve insulation, then thermal insulation is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing material is designed with spatially varying optical properties: opaque regions at the edges for insulation and transparent regions at the periphery for aesthetic appearance and visibility. This local quality differentiation resolves the conflict between insulation performance and aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral seal combines opaque and transparent portions in a composite structure, allowing the door to achieve both thermal insulation and aesthetic appeal simultaneously. The transparent portion maintains the desired visual appearance while the opaque portion provides the necessary thermal sealing.
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
The solution provides efficient condensation clearing, minimizes thermal stresses, and maintains consumer safety while offering improved product merchandising visibility and aesthetic appeal by optimizing the use of transparent and opaque seals in the door design.
Implementation Method 1
the second material is more transparent to visible light than the first material
Implementation Method 2
two panes of glass bounding a sealed space between the panes
Implementation Method 3
the sealed space is evacuated below atmospheric pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
One aspect of the invention features a refrigerated display case door (12) that includes a hinge rail (18), a panel assembly (20), and a handle (16). The hinge rail (18) includes a channel portion and a hinge receiving portion. The panel assembly includes two panes of glass bounding a sealed space between the panes, and includes a first edge disposed within the channel portion of the hinge rail. The handle (16) is secured to a surface of the panel assembly proximate a second edge of the panel assembly opposite the first edge. The sealed space is closed by a peripheral seal disposed between the panes along a periphery of the panes. The peripheral seal includes a first material extending along a first portion of the periphery and a second material extending along a second, different portion of the periphery, where the second material is more transparent to visible light than the first material.