Food Display Counter Cover With Motorized Sliding Panel Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food display counters, especially those of large dimensions, face challenges in providing smooth and continuous opening/closing movements, efficient access, and energy savings while maintaining product protection and aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
A food display counter with a transparent horizontal cover formed by two coplanar panels, where one panel is fixed and the other is mobile, allowing automatic longitudinal opening and closing controlled by electrical actuators, integrated within the counter to minimize space and personnel requirements, and featuring an oblique rectilinear cam for smooth movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual opening/closing of the cover is used, then the structure is simple, but the operation is cumbersome and access efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical opening/closing system with an automated system using electrical actuators (motors) that drive the mobile panel through a guide mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for manual lifting and positioning, significantly improving ease of operation while the automated control system manages the increased mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover system performs its own opening and closing operations automatically through the integrated actuator and guide mechanism, without requiring external manual intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously executing the opening/closing cycle based on operational needs, improving efficiency while the self-contained mechanism manages its own complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cover is made of large panels for extended counters, then the protection is improved, but the manual handling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual panel handling with an automated actuation system that uses motors to drive the mobile panel along vertical guides. This substitution allows large protective panels to be moved automatically without requiring manual lifting or positioning, maintaining product protection while eliminating handling difficulties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from horizontal manual pushing of large panels to vertical movement along guide rails. By changing the dimension of movement from horizontal to vertical, the system enables large panels to be moved along a different axis where mechanical advantage and guide support make handling feasible, even for extended counter lengths.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate weighing and packaging areas are provided, then the functionality is complete, but the space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the weighing and packaging functions directly into the counter structure by providing a lowering mechanism that allows the mobile panel to be positioned at a lower level, creating an integrated workspace. This consolidation combines multiple functions (display, weighing, packaging) into a single spatial footprint, maintaining complete functionality while reducing the need for separate dedicated areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile panel serves multiple functions: it acts as a protective cover when in the upper position, and transforms into a workspace surface for weighing and packaging when lowered. This multi-functionality allows a single structure to replace what would traditionally require separate dedicated areas, maintaining full operational capability while optimizing space utilization.
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
Enables reliable, energy-efficient, and easy access to products while maintaining safety and aesthetics, reducing the need for separate weighing and packaging areas, and allowing quick cleaning and product display.
Implementation Method 1
said lateral actuation devices (27), each separately comprising an electrical actuator (30)
Implementation Method 2
an oblique rectilinear cam (60) adapted to determine an oblique raising movement of said plate (50)
Implementation Method 3
at least one trolley (48) slidable on each vertical guide (46)
Data Source
AI summary
A food display counter (10) in which the chamber (14) for housing food products is closed at the upper part by a fixed longitudinal panel (22) and by a mobile longitudinal panel (24) which are arranged coplanar in a horizontal plane and the mobile panel in its open position is in a horizontal plane superimposed with respect to the fixed panel. The mobile panel is fixed at its ends respectively to a control device (27) which includes an electrical actuator (30) actuating to and fro a slider (36) with vertical guides (46), a horizontal guide (34) fixed to a sheet (28) supporting the actuator (30), same case applying to a plate (50) which supports the mobile panel and it also has a bearing (58) cooperating with an oblique cam (60) which is fixed to the sheet and determines the execution of the opening and closing movement of the mobile panel.