Open fronted cabinet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food storage cabinets either lack temperature control or have single-function temperature regimes, making it difficult to integrate refrigerated and heated areas due to heat loss through conduction, radiation, or convection, limiting the ability to maintain distinct temperature zones.
Innovation Solution
An open-fronted cabinet with a structural sandwich composite chassis providing thermal insulation, featuring a removable temperature-altering cassette and a heated or cooled floor, allowing independent temperature management of different zones within the cabinet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional single-function temperature control is used in food cabinets, then the cabinet structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the ability to maintain distinct temperature zones is lost and heat loss between zones increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cabinet interior is divided into multiple independent temperature zones using removable partition assemblies. Each partition creates a separate zone that can be independently temperature-controlled, allowing simultaneous maintenance of different temperature regions (e.g., refrigerated and heated areas) without heat transfer between them. The partitions are designed to be removable to allow flexible reconfiguration of zone layouts.
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal insulation barriers and air gaps are introduced as intermediary elements between adjacent temperature zones. These intermediaries prevent direct thermal conduction and convection between zones, reducing heat loss and enabling independent temperature control. The insulation layers act as mediators that isolate thermal fields while allowing the zones to share the same physical cabinet space.
2Volume of stationary object
If refrigerated and heated areas are integrated in the same cabinet, then space utilization is improved, but heat loss through conduction, radiation, or convection increases making temperature control difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cabinet interior volume is segmented into separate refrigerated and heated zones using removable partition assemblies. These partitions physically divide the space into discrete thermal compartments, preventing direct thermal interaction between cold and hot areas. Each zone can be independently temperature-controlled, reducing energy loss through thermal conduction and convection while maximizing the use of available cabinet volume.
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal insulation barriers and air gaps serve as intermediary elements between refrigerated and heated zones. These intermediaries block direct thermal pathways, reducing heat transfer through conduction and radiation. The insulation layers act as thermal mediators that isolate the zones while allowing them to coexist in the same cabinet structure, thereby reducing energy loss.
3Temperature
If shelves are made discreet and independently heated, then local temperature control is improved, but heat is still conducted or convected to surrounding shelves causing cumulative temperature increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shelving system is segmented into thermally independent units using insulation barriers between adjacent shelves. Each shelf can be independently heated or cooled without affecting neighboring shelves, as the insulation layers block thermal conduction pathways. This allows precise local temperature control while preventing cumulative temperature increase through heat transfer to surrounding shelves.
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal insulation layers are introduced as intermediary elements between independently heated shelves. These insulation barriers prevent direct thermal conduction from one shelf to another, reducing energy loss. The insulation acts as a mediator that isolates the thermal fields of adjacent shelves, allowing each to maintain its designated temperature without influencing its neighbors.
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 precise temperature control in multiple zones, preventing heat transfer between adjacent cabinets and allowing for the simultaneous display and storage of both chilled and heated foodstuffs without heat loss, enhancing food preservation and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the base, rear and top panels are each formed from a structural sandwich composite material having thermal insulation properties
Implementation Method 2
The mechanism operable to alter the temperature within interior space of the cabinet may be a heating mechanism. The heating mechanism may include an electric heating element and a fan.
Implementation Method 3
The propensity of such heated cabinets to lose heat either by conduction, radiation or convection
Implementation Method 4
The cooling mechanism may include a vapour compression refrigeration circuit and a fan
Implementation Method 5
Alternatively the cooling mechanism may include a Peltier device with or without a fan
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an open fronted food storage cabinet. The cabinet has a top, rear, base and opposed sides. The top, rear, base and opposing sides define an interior space of the cabinet which is accessible through an opening to the front of the cabinet. The opening is defined between edges of the top, base and opposing sides of the cabinet. The cabinet includes an interior chassis structure comprised of a base panel, a rear panel and a top panel which are mechanically connected to one another. The base, rear and top panels are each formed from a structural sandwich composite material having thermal insulation properties. The rear panel includes an aperture to which a mechanism operable to alter the temperature within interior space of the cabinet is mounted.