Multi-Cabinet Cooling Device with Universal Control Card Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling devices with a single compressor and multiple cabinets require separate control cards for each type of cabinet, leading to increased inventory costs and service errors due to the need for pre-defined cooling conditions, which limits user flexibility in selecting different cabinet combinations.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device with a cabinet card on each cabinet featuring a dip switch generating a logic signal, a main board storing corresponding cooling algorithms, and communication indicators using LEDs to ensure proper communication and operation, allowing for adaptive cooling based on cabinet type and reducing the need for separate control cards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate control cards with pre-defined cooling conditions are used for each cabinet type, then the cooling control accuracy is improved, but the inventory cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control card design that can adapt to multiple cabinet types through dip switch configurations. Instead of having separate control cards for each cabinet type, a single control card design is used across all cabinets, with the dip switches allowing the card to be programmed for different cabinet functions (fridge, freezer, wine cellar, etc.). This resolves the contradiction by maintaining cooling control accuracy through proper configuration while eliminating the need for multiple control card inventories.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dip switches to change the operational parameters of the control card based on the cabinet type. The dip switches provide a binary configuration system that allows the same control card hardware to adapt its cooling algorithms and parameters for different cabinet functions. This parameter change approach enables one control card design to serve multiple purposes without sacrificing cooling precision.
2Measurement precision
If separate control cards for each cabinet type are required, then the cooling conditions can be precisely controlled, but the ease of operation and service difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
By making the control card universal with dip switch configuration, the patent eliminates the need for service personnel to distinguish between different control card types during installation and service. The same control card design is used for all cabinets, and the dip switches allow easy configuration for different cabinet functions. This significantly improves ease of operation and reduces service errors while maintaining precise cooling control through proper configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent effectively creates a template or copy of the control card design that can be replicated across all cabinet types. Instead of having unique control cards for each cabinet type, the same control card blueprint is copied and adapted through dip switch settings. This standardization makes service and operation easier while preserving the ability to control cooling conditions precisely for each cabinet type through configuration.
3Device complexity
If a single control card is used for all cabinets with pre-defined conditions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different cabinet configurations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing a single control card that can function with multiple cabinet types through dip switch configuration. The control card is made multi-functional rather than requiring separate specialized cards. This maintains device complexity at a low level (single card design) while dramatically improving adaptability to different cabinet configurations (fridge, freezer, wine cellar, display cases, etc.).
Solution Approach 2:
The dip switch configuration provides dynamic adaptability to the control card. Instead of a static control card designed for one specific cabinet type, the control card becomes dynamic and reconfigurable based on the cabinet function. The dip switches allow the control parameters and cooling algorithms to be dynamically adjusted for different cabinet types, achieving high versatility without increasing hardware 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
This solution reduces inventory costs, simplifies service, and enables flexible configuration of cooling conditions for different cabinet types, ensuring reliable operation and efficient refrigerant management by automatically updating cabinet data and switching to safe mode if communication fails.
Implementation Method 1
having the feature of a dip switch that produces logic signal
Implementation Method 2
The communication indicator is preferably a glowing indicator and comprises green and red LEDs
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) comprising more than one cabinet (2, 102, 202) wherein items to be cooled are placed and which are positioned separately, a compressor (5) providing the cooling cycle to be performed, and more than one valve (6, 106, 206) providing the refrigerant pumped from the compressor (5) to be determined, to which cabinet (2, 102, 202) and in which amount it will be directed.