LED Mullion Heat Transfer for Refrigerated Door Seal Warming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerated display cases face inefficiencies in heat management, leading to increased energy consumption and reduced seal integrity due to heat transfer into the refrigerated space, which affects condensation and fogging on door frames and glass.
Innovation Solution
An illuminated mullion with integrated LEDs that efficiently transfers heat generated by the LEDs to warm the door seals, reducing the need for additional heating elements and optimizing energy usage by utilizing heat from both LEDs and conventional heating sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional heating elements are installed in the door frame and mullion to warm door seals, then seal integrity and condensation reduction are improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the illumination function and heating function into a single integrated LED system. The LED light fixture serves dual purposes: providing illumination and generating heat to warm the door seals. This merging eliminates the need for separate heating elements, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the heat that would normally be considered waste or harmful (heat generated by LEDs that could transfer into the refrigerated space) into a beneficial effect by directing it to warm the door seals. This prevents condensation and maintains seal effectiveness, turning a potential problem into a solution.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If heating elements are installed to prevent condensation on door frame and glass, then condensation and fogging are reduced, but operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The LED light fixture is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: illumination and anti-condensation heating. By making the heating function universal to the lighting system, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated heating elements, thereby reducing operating costs while effectively preventing condensation and fogging on the door frame and glass.
3Illumination intensity
If heat is transferred into the refrigerated space, then illumination is provided, but temperature stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the door seal and door frame as intermediary structures that channel and direct the heat generated by the LEDs. Instead of allowing heat to freely transfer into the refrigerated space, these intermediaries guide the heat to warm the seals and prevent condensation, thereby maintaining temperature stability inside the refrigerated space while still providing effective illumination.
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
This solution enhances the operational efficiency of refrigerated display cases by reducing energy consumption, extending the life of seals, and minimizing condensation, while maintaining a consistent temperature within the display case.
Implementation Method 1
the LED support structure efficiently transfers heat generated by the LED to warm the door seal
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a refrigerated display case with an illuminated support member or “mullion” that efficiently transfers heat generated by at least one light emitting diode (LED) to warm and maintain door seals. The invention further relates to a low-profile, elongated LED light fixture that is retrofitted to the display case mullion to provide efficient illumination. The LED light fixture includes an elongated frame having a central hub extending longitudinally along the frame. A pair of opposed arms extending upwardly at an angle from the central hub, wherein the terminus of each arm has a curvilinear configuration that defines a receiver. At least one leg extends rearward from the central hub. Two legs are spaced a distance apart to define an elongated central cavity that that receives a fastener for securement of the fixture to the vertical support within the display case. A printed circuit board resides within a channel of the central hub and a plurality of LEDs are electrically and mechanically connected to the circuit board. A substantially planar lens cover resides within the receiver for securement to the frame.