Refrigerated furniture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerated cabinets face inefficiencies in temperature control due to improper placement of temperature sensors, leading to increased energy consumption and potential damage to stored goods.
Innovation Solution
The temperature sensor is strategically positioned to detect an average temperature of the return air, avoiding turbulent and thermally influenced areas, ensuring a representative measurement of the refrigerated space's temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the temperature sensor is placed in turbulent or thermally influenced areas, then the sensor is easier to install, but the temperature measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by identifying specific regions within the refrigerated cabinet where temperature measurements are most representative. The sensor is positioned in a localized area that provides accurate average temperature data, distinguishing this optimal location from other areas that may be turbulent or thermally influenced. This principle resolves the contradiction by making the measurement location quality-specific rather than uniformly easy to install.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using the return air as a mediator for temperature measurement. Instead of directly measuring product temperature or ambient air temperature in turbulent zones, the return air serves as an intermediate medium that reflects the overall refrigerated space temperature, providing accurate measurements without requiring placement in difficult-to-access locations.
2Loss of energy
If the temperature sensor is positioned to detect accurate average temperature, then energy consumption is reduced, but the sensor placement becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the temperature sensor placement to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it measures the average temperature of the refrigerated space, monitors return air conditions, and provides data for control system optimization. This multi-functionality justifies the slightly increased placement complexity by delivering comprehensive temperature information that reduces energy consumption across multiple system operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-determining the optimal sensor location during the design and installation phase. The specific positioning guidelines and location criteria are established beforehand, allowing installers to place the sensor correctly from the start. This preliminary planning reduces operational complexity during installation while ensuring the sensor captures accurate average temperature data for energy optimization.
3Productivity
If the temperature sensor detects inaccurate temperature, then the refrigeration system continues operating with high load, but correcting the sensor placement requires system downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using the temperature sensor data to continuously monitor refrigerated space conditions and provide real-time feedback to the control system. When the sensor accurately detects average temperature, the control system receives correct feedback and adjusts the refrigeration load accordingly, reducing energy consumption while maintaining continuous operation. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for frequent system shutdowns to correct sensor placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by designing the sensor placement and control system to automatically optimize refrigeration operation without requiring manual intervention or system downtime. The correctly positioned sensor continuously provides accurate temperature data, enabling the control system to self-adjust refrigeration cycles, valve operations, and compressor loading, thereby maintaining productivity while reducing energy consumption through automated optimization.
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 positioning results in reduced energy consumption by improving temperature control accuracy, lowering the load on the refrigerant inflow solenoid valve, and minimizing unnecessary cooling, thereby reducing energy costs and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature sensor (2) is arranged in a region of the refrigerated cabinet (1), preferably a base of the refrigerated cabinet (1), in which an average temperature of a return air (B) can be detected
Implementation Method 2
The coolant is converted from the liquid state to the gaseous state via at least one expansion nozzle, e.g. Through the routing of the pipes and through the cooling fins of an evaporator, which serve as heat exchangers
Implementation Method 3
Through the routing of the pipes and through the cooling fins of an evaporator, which serve as heat exchangers and are usually designed as plate structures to increase the interacting surfaces, the energy flow takes place from the air flowing past
Implementation Method 4
The air in the refrigerated cabinet is usually circulated via a fan installed in the floor or in the rear wall. The circulation direction is from the bottom of the refrigerated compartment through a gap between the bottom of the refrigerated compartment and the bottom of the refrigerated compartment into a gap between the rear wall of the refrigerated compartment and the rear wall of the refrigerated compartment further back into a gap between the ceiling of the refrigerated compartment and the ceiling of the refrigerated compartment in the upper part of the refrigerator compartment
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a refrigerated display case (1), preferably a refrigerated shelf (1), and particularly preferably a refrigerated shelf (1) with a door, comprising a refrigerated compartment (11) for holding goods (5) to be chilled and/or frozen, preferably foodstuffs (5), and comprising at least one temperature sensor (2) which is arranged in the refrigerated display case (1) such that the temperature of the return air (B) of the refrigerated compartment (11) can be detected. The refrigerated display case (1) is characterized in that the temperature sensor (2) is arranged in a region of the refrigerated display case (1), preferably a base (11) of the refrigerated display case (1), in which a representative, preferably average, temperature of the return air (B) can be detected.