Display structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermally conditioned display stands with open display sides are inefficient in cooling all shelves, cumbersome, and not suitable for temporary installations due to complex designs and reliance on specific air flow paths, which limits their portability and adaptability.
Innovation Solution
A display structure featuring a first column with air outlets delivering air in one direction and a second column with outlets delivering air in an opposite direction, creating interacting air flows that form vortices for effective cooling and coverage, allowing for easy installation, disassembly, and use with various thermodynamic assemblies, including being made of cardboard.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a single column with air outlets is used to deliver air over shelves, then the cooling action on top shelves is improved, but the cooling effectiveness on other shelves deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single column is segmented into multiple columns (first column and second column), each with outlets positioned at different heights and orientations. This segmentation allows air to be delivered to different shelf levels independently, achieving uniform cooling coverage across all shelves while maintaining effective top shelf cooling.
2Ease of operation
If free space is provided all around open display surfaces for air passage, then the air flow coverage is improved, but the portability and ease of transport deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The display structure is constructed using thin, flexible cardboard panels that can be easily folded and assembled. These thin-walled columns provide sufficient structural integrity for air flow passage while minimizing weight, enabling the structure to be portable and suitable for temporary installations without compromising air flow coverage.
3Productivity
If walls delimit shelves to create channels for air flows, then the air delivery to individual shelves is improved, but the structural complexity and restricted spaces worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex wall channels, the air delivery system is segmented into multiple simple columns with outlets directly facing shelves. Each column handles air delivery to specific shelf levels independently, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining efficient air delivery to individual shelves through direct outlet-to-shelf positioning.
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 display structure provides efficient cooling and coverage for all shelves, is easy to install and transport, and can be easily decoupled from its thermodynamic assembly, making it suitable for various applications and temporary installations.
Implementation Method 1
a first column (5) extending through said row of shelves, which has a series of first outlets (5') for delivery of a flow of air over the shelves
Implementation Method 2
at least one second column (6) having a series of second outlets (6') for delivery of a flow of air over each of the shelves (4), the first column (5) and at least one second column (6) being in fluid communication with one another in such a way as to define successive paths of a flow of conditioned air, along the row of shelves (4), which have directions opposite to one another
Data Source
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AI summary
A display structure for a thermally conditioned display stand, with one or more open display sides, comprising a vertical row of display shelves (4) set on top of one another, a first column (5) and a second column along said row of shelves, wherein the first and second columns each have outlets for delivery of a flow of air over each of said shelves, where the flow of air delivered by the outlets of the second column encounters the flow of air delivered by the outlets of the first column.