Freezer or chiller device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional freezer devices have limited visibility due to mullions blocking the view of products, leading to reduced customer comfort and increased energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A freezer or chiller device with a transparent mullion and translucent or compressible sealing elements that provide a reliable sealing function while allowing unobstructed viewing, enhanced by features like magnetic force-locking connections, heating elements, and reflective or illuminating components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional mullions are used in freezer devices, then mechanical robustness and structural stability are provided, but visibility of products is blocked and customer comfort is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical robustnessVSAvoidvisibility of products

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The mullion is made transparent or translucent, changing its optical properties from opaque to transparent. This allows light to pass through the mullion, enabling customers to view products through the door assembly while maintaining the structural support function of the mullion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Reliability

If conventional sealing elements are used to provide reliable sealing between swing doors and mullion, then sealing function is ensured, but visibility is obstructed due to opaque sealing materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing functionVSAvoidvisibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is made translucent, changing its optical property from opaque to translucent. This allows light to partially pass through the sealing element, enabling customers to view products through the door assembly while maintaining the sealing function between the swing door and mullion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element is constructed as a composite structure with a translucent outer layer and an inner core containing force-locking elements. This composite design allows the sealing element to simultaneously provide sealing function, magnetic force-locking connection, and optical transparency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Loss of information

If large glass panes are used in swing doors, then visibility of products is improved, but sealing reliability and mechanical strength are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of productsVSAvoidsealing function

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The door assembly uses a composite structure combining large glass panes for visibility with integrated sealing elements containing force-locking elements for reliable sealing. The sealing elements are positioned at the interface between the glass pane and mullion, ensuring both visibility and sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If opaque sealing elements are used to ensure reliable sealing, then sealing function is maintained, but energy consumption increases due to poor thermal insulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing functionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enhances customer comfort by providing a clear view of products, reduces energy consumption through efficient sealing, and maintains mechanical robustness and flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

The sealings attached to the swing doors can comprise magnets to provide a magnetic force-locking connection with mullions and horizontal profiles of the freezer device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force-locking connection: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

at least one of the swing doors (2, 3) and/or the mullion (10) comprise a heating element (44), preferably in form of a heating wire and/or heating cable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

at least one of the swing doors (2, 3) and/or the mullion (10) comprise a light element (47), preferably in form of LED light strip

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3748263B1Freezer or chiller device

Publication Date: 2025.12.03 SCHOTT AG

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AI summary

A swing door system, preferably for use with a chiller device or freezer device, comprising at least one swing door (2, 3), a mullion (10) and a sealing element (20, 30), wherein the at least one swing door comprises a transparent pane (5a, 5b, 5c, 6a, 6b, 6c) and wherein said sealing element is arranged between the swing door and the mullion in a closed position of said swing door, wherein said mullion is at least translucent at least in part.