Modular Food Tray Layout for Simultaneous Heating and Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The food service industry lacks a display shelf unit that can simultaneously provide both heating and cooling capabilities, as conventional solutions typically prioritize one thermal need over the other, leading to inefficiencies and limitations in temperature control for food display.
Innovation Solution
A modular food tray system that includes a first food tray for heating and a second food tray for cooling, with interchangeable temperature elements and a controller to manage heating and cooling functions, allowing for dual temperature capabilities and flexible tray positioning with thermal shields for efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single display shelf unit provides both heating and cooling capabilities, then temperature control versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display shelf unit is divided into multiple independently controllable zones, each with its own heating or cooling elements. This allows different sections to operate at different temperatures simultaneously, providing versatility while managing complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The system integrates both heating and cooling capabilities within a single display shelf unit, allowing the same structure to serve multiple thermal functions. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by providing temperature control versatility without requiring separate dedicated units
2Loss of energy
If thermal shields are added to improve heating and cooling efficiency, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Thermal shields are positioned between heating/cooling elements and the food items to act as intermediaries that direct and concentrate thermal energy. This improves energy efficiency by reducing heat loss while the shields are integrated into the existing structure to minimize added complexity
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 efficient temperature control for both heating and cooling of food items in a single display unit, enhancing food preservation and presentation while accommodating varying thermal requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling element coupled to the first food tray
Implementation Method 2
the heating element can be a radiant heating element directed toward one or more of the trays
Implementation Method 3
at least one heating element coupled to the first food tray
Implementation Method 4
a refrigeration unit coupled to the temperature element of the first food tray
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a system, apparatus, and method for a modular food tray system having a plurality of food trays that can be used for heating, cooling, or a combination thereof. The system can include a first food tray for heating and a second food tray for cooling, generally mounted at a different elevation from the first food tray. Alternatively, one or both of the food trays can be designed for cooling through temperature elements coupled thereto and the tray can be heated by overhead radiant heating elements for dual temperature capabilities. The first food tray can be mounted above the second food tray. The first food tray can include a thermal shield between a heating element in the first food tray and the second food tray. In other embodiments, the second food tray can be mounted above the first food tray with a thermal shield therebetween.