Refrigerated chamber unit door

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Solution Overview

Problem

Refrigerated cabinet doors face a contradiction between maintaining temperature and providing good visual access, as traditional multiple glazing solutions result in thermal bridges and visual bulk, leading to energy inefficiency and product quality issues.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerated cabinet door design featuring insulating multiple glazing with an intermediate frame, peripheral seals, and a reinforcement system that eliminates the need for metal frames, using transparent resin spacers and inert gas filling to enhance thermal insulation and mechanical resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If traditional multiple glazing with metal frames is used, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but visual bulk and spatial occupation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation performanceVSAvoidspatial bulk
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional thick metal frames with thin peripheral seals made of flexible material that can conform to the edges of glass sheets. These thin seals provide thermal insulation while occupying minimal space, eliminating the visual bulk associated with conventional metal framing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite construction combining glass sheets with peripheral seals made of insulating materials. This composite structure achieves effective thermal insulation through the combination of multiple materials with complementary properties, maintaining insulation performance while reducing overall frame thickness and visual prominence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of energy

If traditional multiple glazing with metal frames is used, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but visual accessibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation performanceVSAvoidvisual accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The thin peripheral seals used in this invention minimize visual obstruction compared to traditional metal frames. Their slender profile and ability to be positioned at the edges of glass sheets preserve maximum glass surface area, thereby maintaining excellent visual accessibility and illumination while providing necessary thermal insulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies insulation materials locally at the peripheral edges where thermal bridges would occur, rather than using extensive metal framing across the entire structure. This localized approach provides thermal insulation precisely where needed while preserving the visual transparency and accessibility of the glass surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of energy

If transparent polymer materials are used to eliminate metal frames, then thermal insulation is improved, but mechanical resistance must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulationVSAvoidmechanical resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs composite construction where transparent polymer peripheral seals work in conjunction with the glass sheets themselves to provide both thermal insulation and mechanical strength. The combination of materials creates a structure that leverages the strength of glass while the polymer provides insulation, achieving both objectives simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The peripheral seals in this invention serve multiple functions: they provide thermal insulation, maintain the structural integrity of the glazing assembly, and seal the edges of the glass sheets. This multi-functionality allows transparent polymer materials to replace metal frames without compromising mechanical resistance while improving thermal insulation performance.

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

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 reduces energy consumption, maintains temperature efficiency, and improves product visibility while withstanding significant mechanical forces, offering an economically advantageous and easy-to-implement solution for existing refrigerated furniture.

Implementation Method 1

at least one insulating multiple glazing consisting of at least a first and a second sheet of glass associated with one another via an intermediate frame which keeps them at a certain distance from each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

between said at least two sheets of glass, at least one internal space, comprising a blade of insulating gas, closed by at least a first and a second peripheral seals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3699383B1Refrigerated chamber unit door
Publication Date: 2023.03.29 AGC GLASS EUROPE SA
  • EP3699383B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3699383B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3699383B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Refrigerated display case door made of multiple panes of glass incorporating an intermediate frame, perimeter seals, and reinforcement, eliminating the need for a frame element. The door includes transparent vertical seals connecting the glass panes to transparent spacers.