Refrigerated cabinet and control method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerated cabinets in hotels face issues with noise disturbance from compressors, unreliable operation due to power outages, and inefficient management, requiring manual reprogramming and guest behavior compromises control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerated cabinet equipped with a control unit that uses a radio wave receiver to determine exact time, allowing automatic inhibition of the compressor during predefined time bands to minimize noise and ensure reliable operation without human intervention, using thermal energy storage to maintain temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the compressor is activated whenever the temperature exceeds the threshold value, then the temperature control reliability is improved, but the noise disturbance to guests worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit pre-cools the compartment before the predefined time band (night hours) begins, storing cold energy in advance. This allows the compressor to be switched off during night hours while maintaining temperature through the stored cold energy, thus eliminating noise disturbance without compromising temperature control reliability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the compressor is forced to turn off during night hours using a timer control unit, then the noise disturbance is reduced, but the temperature control reliability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling action before the night time band starts, accumulating sufficient cold energy in the compartment and thermal mass. This pre-preparation ensures that the temperature remains within acceptable limits even when the compressor is forced off during night hours, thus reducing noise while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit adjusts the temperature threshold parameter dynamically based on the time of day. During night hours, the system allows the temperature to rise to a higher threshold before reactivating the compressor, whereas during daytime it maintains a stricter lower threshold. This parameter adaptation enables noise reduction at night while preserving temperature control reliability during active hours.
3Reliability
If the thermostat is reset manually after power outages, then the temperature control is restored, but the operation complexity and time consumption worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically detects power outages and performs self-reset of the thermostat without requiring manual intervention. The system monitors power status, detects when power is restored, and automatically reinitializes the temperature control parameters and continues operation, thus maintaining reliability while eliminating operational complexity and time consumption for staff.
4Loss of energy
If the compressor is inhibited when the energy saver card is inserted, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the temperature control reliability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial inhibition of the compressor rather than complete shutdown when the energy saver card is inserted. The compressor operates at reduced capacity or with extended cycles rather than being fully inhibited, thus achieving some energy savings while maintaining sufficient temperature control reliability. This partial action approach balances energy reduction with reliable temperature maintenance.
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 solution effectively reduces compressor noise during guest hours, ensures reliable operation through autonomous timekeeping, and maintains temperature without manual intervention, even during power outages.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigeration assembly (4), adapted to remove heat from the compartment (3), which can be activated to maintain an internal temperature of the compartment (3) substantially at a predefined threshold value
Implementation Method 2
at least one radio wave receiver (6) under control of said electronic unit (5) and configured to receive at least one signal conveying exact time information
Implementation Method 3
The cabinet (1) may comprise a thermal energy storage unit (9), configured for progressive heat removal from the interior of the compartment (3)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A refrigerated cabinet, comprising at least: - a carcass (2) which forms at least one internal compartment (3), configured to accommodate food (A) and/or beverages (B), - a refrigeration assembly (4), which is adapted to remove heat from the compartment (3) and normally can be activated to maintain an internal temperature of the compartment (3) at a predefined threshold value, - an electronic unit (5) for controlling and managing the assembly (4), provided with instructions for forced inhibiting of the activation of the assembly (4) when the current time is within at least one predefined time band. The cabinet comprises at least one radio wave receiver (6), controlled by the electronic unit (5) and configured to receive at least one signal conveying information about the exact time; the electronic unit (5) is configured to determine the current time on the basis of this information.