Ventilated cold display unit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilated cold display cabinets are inflexible in arranging product displays without disrupting air flow, limiting their adaptability for different product presentations such as breakfast, dessert, or appetizer buffets.
Innovation Solution
A modular cold display cabinet design with a separator plate allowing air circulation between zones, featuring stackable modules that can form single or multi-level displays, with vents and communication openings for balanced air flow and interchangeable configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed display configuration is used in the ventilated cold display cabinet, then the air circulation is maintained, but the adaptability for different product presentations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The display cabinet is divided into modular components including separator plates with integrated air channels, stackable display modules, and interchangeable shelving units. Each module can be independently positioned to create different display configurations while maintaining air flow pathways through the cabinet structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The display arrangement system incorporates movable and adjustable elements such as repositionable separator plates, adjustable shelving heights, and flexible module positioning. This allows the display configuration to dynamically adapt to different product types and presentation requirements without compromising the forced air circulation system.
2Productivity
If modules are stacked above the separator plate, then more display levels are created, but air flow to products may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Separator plates with integrated air channels act as intermediaries between the refrigeration system and display modules. These plates receive cold air from the refrigeration unit and distribute it through vertical channels to multiple display levels, ensuring that stacked modules above the separator plate still receive adequate refrigerated air flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The air distribution system transitions from horizontal to vertical flow patterns by incorporating vertical air channels in the separator plates and modules. This three-dimensional air distribution allows cold air to reach products on multiple stacked levels efficiently, maintaining refrigeration reliability while increasing display capacity.
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 flexible product display arrangements without compromising refrigerated air flow, ensuring products remain in a refrigerated environment across varying levels and allowing numerous configuration options for different product presentations.
Implementation Method 1
a lower technical zone 4 containing means 6 for forced circulation of air and means 7 for producing cold for cooling the air
Implementation Method 2
means 6 for forced circulation of air... with an outward flow of air circulating above the separator plate 8 from the opening 9 for blowing air towards the air return openings 10 and a so-called return air flow circulating below the separator plate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Display cabinet (1) comprising an enclosure (2) comprising an upper product display area (3) and a lower technical area (4) containing means (6) for forced air circulation and means ( 7) cooling said air, said zones (3, 4) being separated from each other by a plate (8) separator, and communicating with each other via openings for blowing (9) and recovery of air (10) for a loop circulation of the air between said zones (3, 4). This piece of furniture comprises a modular structure (11) that can be positioned, on the separator plate (8), directly above an air blowing opening (9), said modules (12) of the structure (11) being stackable, each module (12) capable of forming a floor comprising a top (13) and a base (14) of said top (13), said base (14) forming the peripheral side wall delimiting a chamber (16), this wall peripheral side being provided with openings (15), the plate (13) of each intermediate module (12) being provided with an opening (17) to allow communication between the chambers (16) of the modules (12).