Refrigerated Case Floor Assembly for Top-Access Height Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerated display cases often face difficulties in adjusting the height of their feet, making it cumbersome to regulate the height from within the cold room.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a height adjustment mechanism accessible from above, featuring a threaded bolt with a tool holder, integrated into the floor assembly, allowing easy adjustment of the feet through openings or removable floor covering elements, and attachment to lateral and intermediate struts for enhanced stability and accessibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the feet are attached to the floor assembly with a height adjustment mechanism that is not easily accessible, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of operation for height adjustment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of height adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The height adjustment mechanism is designed to be accessible from the vertical dimension (from above through the floor assembly) rather than requiring access from the horizontal dimension (from the side or bottom). This dimensional change allows the adjustment mechanism to remain integrated with the floor assembly structure while being easily accessible for operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The floor assembly acts as an intermediary element that provides access to the height adjustment mechanism. By incorporating the adjustment mechanism into the floor assembly structure, the system allows height adjustment without requiring disassembly or access from difficult-to-reach areas, thus maintaining both structural integrity and operational ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the height adjustment mechanism is made accessible from above through the floor assembly, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of height adjustmentVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The height adjustment mechanism is merged with the floor assembly structure, combining two functional elements into a single integrated design. This merging reduces the need for separate access mechanisms or additional components, thereby improving ease of operation while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The floor assembly serves multiple functions: it provides the structural base for the refrigerated display case, supports the cooling device components, and simultaneously provides access to the height adjustment mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated access structures, thereby improving operational ease without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If openings or removable floor covering elements are provided in the floor assembly for accessing the height adjustment mechanism, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of the floor assembly structure deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of height adjustment mechanismVSAvoidfloor assembly integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The floor assembly is designed with pre-planned access openings or removable covering elements at specific locations where the height adjustment mechanism is accessible. These openings are strategically positioned and sized to provide adequate access while minimizing structural compromise. The preliminary design ensures that the structural integrity is maintained while enabling easy access for height adjustment operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Facilitates easy and reliable height adjustment of the refrigerated display case from within the cold room, improving handling and stability while maintaining efficient cooling performance.

Implementation Method 1

the height adjustment part is a threaded bolt that is provided with a tool holder in its upper area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThreaded mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

a height adjustment mechanism that is accessible from above and can be adjusted in height from above through the floor assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation to linear motion conversion: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentEP3104748B1Refrigerated case
Publication Date: 2018.08.29 AHT COOLING SYSTEMS GMBH
  • EP3104748B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3104748B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3104748B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a refrigeration appliance comprising a cooling chamber which is delimited at the top, the rear and the bottom by a top group (5), a rear wall group (4) and a bottom group (2) that is supported on a base by means of vertically adjustable front and rear support legs (70, 71). In order to create advantageous structural and functional conditions in terms of vertical adjustability, the front and/or the rear support legs (70, 71) are provided with a vertical adjustment mechanism accessible from the top and can be vertically adjusted by said mechanism from above through the bottom group (2).