Modular Evaporator Fan Assembly for Safer Walk-In Coolers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional walk-in coolers face space and safety issues due to the design of evaporators, which occupy valuable storage space and pose a hazard, and require extensive disassembly for repairs and replacements, making them costly and time-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A modular evaporator design featuring a housing with a replaceable fan module and a backward incline centrifugal fan, along with a replaceable venturi ring, that can be easily installed and accessed, reducing the need for extensive disassembly and minimizing space and safety risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional evaporator is hung from the ceiling of the cooler, then it provides cooling function, but it takes up storage space and presents safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator is divided into separate modular components including coil assemblies, air handlers, and distribution plenums that can be independently installed and positioned. This segmentation allows the cooling function to be distributed throughout the storage area rather than concentrated in one location, maintaining cooling effectiveness while optimizing storage space.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaporator system transitions from a vertical hanging configuration to a horizontal or distributed three-dimensional arrangement. By spreading the cooling components across multiple dimensions within the cooler volume, the system provides adequate cooling coverage without the space occupation problems of traditional ceiling-suspended designs.
2Temperature
If a conventional evaporator is designed to provide adequate cooling coverage, then it cools the cooler effectively, but it extends downward into the standing area creating injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple smaller coil assemblies and air handlers that can be positioned at different heights and locations. This allows the cooling function to be distributed without requiring any single component to extend into the standing area, eliminating the injury hazard while maintaining effective temperature control throughout the cooler.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the cooler are served by locally positioned cooling components rather than a single centralized evaporator. Each local assembly provides cooling to its specific zone without encroaching on pedestrian space, ensuring both effective temperature control and safety in the standing area.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional evaporator requires extensive disassembly for repair, then it maintains structural integrity, but it increases maintenance time and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator system is designed as modular assemblies with standardized connections between components. This segmentation enables individual coils, air handlers, or plenums to be accessed and replaced independently without disassembling the entire system, dramatically reducing maintenance time while maintaining overall structural integrity through proper connection design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates accessible design features such as removable panels, quick-connect fittings, and service ports that allow dynamic access to internal components during operation. These features enable maintenance personnel to perform repairs without extensive disassembly, reducing downtime while the overall system structure remains intact.
4Device complexity
If a conventional evaporator is designed as a single unit, then it simplifies the overall structure, but it makes installation difficult due to weight and maneuvering constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator system is divided into multiple lightweight modular components that can be maneuvered through standard cooler access points and assembled in place. This segmentation eliminates the weight and handling problems of single-unit evaporators while the standardized connection design maintains structural simplicity and ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple separate components are designed to combine into a complete evaporator system through standardized interfaces and connections. This merging approach allows each component to be manufactured and installed separately with ease, while the assembled system provides the integrated functionality of a traditional evaporator with simplified installation procedures.
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
The modular design allows for easier installation, reduced storage space usage, and safer operation by enabling quick access and replacement of components, lowering the risk of injury and maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
a backward incline centrifugal fan mounted therein
Implementation Method 2
a replaceable venturi ring sized to accommodate the fan
Implementation Method 3
The liquid refrigerant absorbs heat by blowing or drawing air across the evaporator coil as the liquid refrigerant changes to vapor
Implementation Method 4
as the liquid refrigerant changes to vapor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present application provides an evaporator (100). The evaporator may include a housing, a coil assembly (260) mounted within the housing (130), and a replaceable fan module (330) positioned within the housing (130). The replaceable fan module (330) may include a fan (390) mounted therein.