Display provided with automatically and manually operable revolving door panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerated displays face issues with door panel operation failure due to actuation and detection system malfunctions, leading to safety hazards, synchronization problems, and high maintenance costs, as well as difficulties in dismounting and synchronizing door panels.

Innovation Solution

The display incorporates magnetic fast-coupling/uncoupling means allowing door panels to be automatically or manually operated, with a single electric motor actuating all panels synchronously, and a mechanism to prevent user injury by releasing door panels from the movement component when intercepting an arm during closing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If door panels are automatically actuated by electric motors, then operational convenience is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to motor blocking or breakdown

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic door panel operationVSAvoiddoor panel operation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The door panel system is segmented into two independent operating modes: automatic actuation mode (with electric motors) and manual operation mode. The fast-coupling/uncoupling means enable the door panels to be quickly switched between these modes, allowing users to manually operate doors if automatic actuation fails, thus maintaining reliability while preserving automatic operation convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts its operation mode based on conditions. The fast-coupling/uncoupling means allow the door panels to transition between coupled (automatic) and uncoupled (manual) states, enabling the system to maintain reliability by switching to manual mode when automatic actuation fails, while normally operating in automatic mode for convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If door panels are firmly connected to actuation means, then automatic operation reliability is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates due to difficulty in dismounting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic actuation reliabilityVSAvoiddoor panel dismounting ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between door panels and actuation means is made dynamic rather than static. The fast-coupling/uncoupling means enable the connection to be quickly established or released, allowing door panels to be firmly connected during automatic operation for reliability, but easily disconnected for repair or maintenance by simply actuating the fast-coupling/uncoupling mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanism is segmented into fast-coupling and fast-uncoupling functions, allowing the door panel assembly to be quickly separated from the actuation means for repair while maintaining firm connection during normal operation. This segmentation enables independent maintenance of door panels without affecting the actuation system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple electric motors are used to actuate door panels, then operational independence is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent door panel actuationVSAvoidactuation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple door panels are actuated by a single electric motor through a common actuation means that controls all door panels simultaneously. This merging approach reduces the number of motors from multiple independent units to one shared motor, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to actuate all door panels independently through the fast-coupling/uncoupling mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If detection means are used to detect user presence, then operational safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser injury preventionVSAvoiddetection and control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fast-coupling/uncoupling means are pre-configured to enable rapid manual operation of door panels. Detection means can detect user presence and trigger uncoupling of door panels from automatic actuation before closing, preventing injury. The preliminary preparation of the fast-coupling/uncoupling mechanism ensures that safety intervention can be executed immediately when detected, adding safety without requiring complex real-time control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Ensures safe and reliable operation even with actuation or detection system failures, simplifies door panel mounting and dismounting, and reduces maintenance costs by synchronizing door panel movement with a single motor, enhancing user safety and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

said fast-coupling/uncoupling means comprising magnetic retention means provided in said movement component and/or in said at least one door panel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3087876B1Display provided with automatically and manually operable revolving door panels
Publication Date: 2017.08.02 INDUSTRIE SCAFFALATURE ARREDAMENTI ISA SPA
  • EP3087876B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3087876B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3087876B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display (200) comprises at least one revolving door panel (3) hinged to a box frame (1) by means of hinging means actuated by actuation means (M); said display (200) comprising a movement component (61) that can be coupled with the door panel (3) to move the door panel (3), as well as fast coupling/uncoupling means (92, 93) for the fast coupling of the movement component (61) with the door panel (3) to actuate the door panel (3) by means of the actuation means (M), and permit the fast uncoupling of the movement component (61) from the door panel (3) to move the door panel (3) manually, independently from the actuation means (M).