Electronic Door Display Power Control for Refrigerated Display Cases

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Solution Overview

Problem

Refrigerated display cases with electronic components consume excessive power due to continuous operation, leading to inefficiency and increased energy costs.

Innovation Solution

Implement a control system that adjusts the power settings of electronic displays, lighting, and heaters based on the position of the display case door, turning them off or reducing power when the door is open for a threshold duration or angle, ensuring minimal impact on customer experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electronic components (display, lighting, heater) operate continuously to maintain functionality and advertising capability, then reliability and advertising effectiveness are improved, but power consumption increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality of electronic componentsVSAvoidpower consumption of electronic components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic components operate periodically rather than continuously. The control system activates or deactivates the display, lighting, and heater based on periodic detection of door position and operational state, allowing components to remain inactive during periods when they are not needed (e.g., when door is open during restocking)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the door position sensor data to automatically control the electronic components without external intervention. The control system self-regulates power consumption by detecting when the door is open and automatically deactivating components, eliminating the need for manual control while maintaining functionality when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of energy

If electronic components are deactivated to reduce power consumption during door open periods, then energy efficiency is improved, but advertising visibility and product information display may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy waste from continuous operationVSAvoidadvertising content visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The control system continuously receives feedback from the door position sensor and adjusts electronic component operation accordingly. When the sensor detects the door is closed, the system activates the display and lighting to ensure advertising visibility; when the door is open, the system deactivates them to conserve energy, creating a responsive feedback loop that balances visibility and efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12611052B2Reducing power consumption of refrigerated display case with electronic door display

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 ANTHONY INC

AI summary

Methods and systems are disclosed for reducing power consumption of refrigerated display cases with electronic door displays. A door system for a refrigerated display case includes: a movable door configured to provide access to the refrigerated display case; an electronic display mounted to the movable door; a sensor; at least one processor in electronic communication with the sensor and the electronic display; and a data store coupled to the at least one processor having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising: receiving, from the sensor, data indicating a position of the movable door; and in response to receiving the data indicating the position of the movable door, adjusting a power setting of the electronic display.