Self-Contained Door-Embedded Information System for Cold Storage Rooms

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing systems for temperature rooms with information systems are complex to install, require trained personnel, and can cause cold bridges due to cable routes through insulation walls, leading to inefficiencies and increased sealing efforts, especially in environments where the interior atmosphere needs to be separated from the external atmosphere.

Innovation Solution

A self-contained information system with a housing unit embedded in the door of the temperature room, featuring a network-independent electrical supply, energy-saving signal providers, and a control unit that ensures a power storage supply for at least one year, allowing for easy assembly and operation without connecting to the building's electricity network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If cable routes are created through insulation walls to connect information systems to the building electricity network, then the system can be powered by the building's electricity network, but cold bridges are caused that lower the efficiency of the temperature room

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectricity supplyVSAvoidcold bridge
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The information system is extracted from the temperature room interior and placed in the door structure outside the temperature room. This allows the system to be powered by the building electricity network through the door without creating cable routes through the insulation wall, thereby eliminating the cold bridge problem while maintaining electrical power supply capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The door structure serves as an intermediary between the temperature room and the building electricity network. By positioning the information system in the door, the door acts as a mediator that provides electrical power access without requiring penetration of the insulation wall, thus avoiding thermal loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate information systems are installed for different functions (emergency call, temperature monitoring, door status), then comprehensive monitoring is achieved, but the installation complexity and number of cable routes increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring functionVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple information system functions (emergency call button, temperature monitoring, door status monitoring) are merged into a single integrated system housed in the door structure. This consolidation reduces the number of separate installations and cable routes while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities across all functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The information system in the door is designed with multi-functionality, serving as an emergency call system, temperature monitoring system, and door status monitoring system simultaneously. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple separate systems and their associated installation complexities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If personal emergency call systems with TAST switches and signal units are installed, then emergency communication capability is provided, but trained electrical installers are required for connection to the house electricity network

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency call functionVSAvoidinstallation requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The information system is extracted from the temperature room interior and positioned in the door structure, which is accessible during door assembly. This allows the system to be installed by the door manufacturer without requiring trained electrical installers to penetrate insulation walls and connect to the building electricity network, while maintaining emergency call functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3951292B1Temperature controlled room with an information system
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 STEINBACH & VOLLMANN GMBH
  • EP3951292B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3951292B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3951292B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an information system (10) for temperature control rooms, the temperature of which is kept essentially constant inside the room and differs from the temperature outside the room, in particular for cold storage rooms with temperatures below ten degrees Celsius, - with an insulating wall that separates the interior from the exterior, - with a door (53) through which the temperature control room can be accessed, - with a sensor (20) in the interior which is connected to a control unit located in the exterior, - with an optical (15) and an acoustic signal transmitter (16) which is connected to the control unit, - with the control unit which detects sensor values ​​and triggers an optical and/or acoustic signal depending on predetermined threshold values, - with an electrical supply unit for the information system (10), characterized in that - the information system (10) is kept without mains power, - the signal transmitters (15, 16),the control unit (13) and a mains-independent electrical supply unit are combined in a single assembly (12), - this assembly unit (12) is arranged outside the interior and has a connection to the sensor (20) arranged inside.