Refrigerating Cabinet Rear Panel Layout for Flexible Shelf Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigeration systems in display cabinets are inflexible regarding the arrangement of shelves at the rear panel, which affects the efficiency of cooling air distribution when shelves are rearranged, leading to decreased cooling performance.

Innovation Solution

A refrigeration system with a rear panel comprising variable panel portions that can be attached at different positions, allowing shelves to be adjusted in height and distance, and equipped with movable or pivoting plates to cover or expose air outlets as needed, ensuring optimal cooling air flow along the shelves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If shelves are fixed at specific positions corresponding to air outlets, then cooling efficiency is improved, but adaptability to different storage needs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidshelf arrangement flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rear panel is designed with multiple detachable panel portions that can be dynamically reconfigured. Each panel portion can be removed and repositioned to different locations, allowing the air outlet positions to adapt dynamically when shelf arrangements change, thereby maintaining optimal cooling efficiency across different storage configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rear panel is segmented into multiple independent panel portions, each containing or covering air outlets. This segmentation allows individual panel portions to be detached and repositioned independently, enabling the system to adapt to different shelf arrangements while maintaining proper air flow alignment with shelves

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If shelves are rearranged to meet varying storage needs, then adaptability is improved, but cooling performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshelf arrangement flexibilityVSAvoidcooling performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The panel portions are designed to be dynamically reconfigurable through detachment and repositioning. When shelves are rearranged, the corresponding panel portions can be moved to new positions to maintain alignment between air outlets and shelf locations, ensuring cooling performance is preserved despite changes in storage configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows changes in the positional parameters of both shelves and panel portions. By adjusting the location parameters of panel portions to match new shelf arrangements, the system maintains optimal cooling performance across different operational configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration allows for flexible adjustment of shelf positions while maintaining efficient cooling air distribution, adapting to varying needs without compromising cooling performance, and using the same components for different arrangements.

Implementation Method 1

cold air circulation over the evaporator and thereafter into the display area... cold air flow along the bottom surface of the shelves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

heat exchanger means built into the cabinet, providing the cooling air of the temperature required for the goods

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP2129266B1Refrigerating cabinet
Publication Date: 2016.07.27 CARRIER CORP
  • EP2129266B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2129266B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a refrigerating cabinet (1), comprising a display case (13) defining a display space (15), at least one shelf (2) arranged in the display case for bearing of goods requiring refrigeration, and a rear panel (7) adjacent to a conduit (4) for conducting cooling air (40) along the rear panel and having at least one air outlet (14) towards the display space. A supporting arrangement (9) is for attaching the rear panel (7). In one aspect, the shelf (2) is adapted to communicate with the at least one air outlet (14) of the rear panel for receiving a flow of cooling air (21), wherein the rear panel comprising at least two variable panel portions (71 to 76), each of which being attachable to the supporting arrangement (9) at variable positions. In another aspect, at least one plate (22, 23) is mounted to the shelf (2) in a portion where the shelf abuts against the rear panel (7), the at least one plate adapted to cover at least one of the air outlets (14) of the rear panel.