Refrigerated Display Layout for Bottom-Area Cooling and Shelf Space

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Solution Overview

Problem

Refrigerated sales furniture of the front access type has limited space for presenting goods due to inefficient cooling of the bottom area, where the fan and evaporator placement restricts the available space and cooling efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerated sales furniture design with an air suction channel, fan, and cold air channel configuration that directs cold air from the back to the bottom area, maximizing space usage and ensuring efficient cooling across the entire presentation space, including the bottom area, by positioning the fan behind the bottom area and using air guiding shelves to direct cold air downward.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the fan and evaporator are arranged underneath the lowest goods presentation shelf, then the cooling function is achieved, but the available space for presenting goods is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling functionVSAvoidavailable space for presenting goods
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates the fan and evaporator from the horizontal plane (underneath the lowest shelf) to the vertical rear space (behind the bottom area), utilizing the depth dimension of the furniture. This allows the goods presentation space to extend fully to the rear wall, maximizing horizontal display area while maintaining cooling functionality through the rear air suction channel and cold air channel configuration.

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

2Device complexity

If the fan and evaporator are arranged underneath the lowest goods presentation shelf, then the cooling system is compact, but the bottom area cooling efficiency is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling system compactnessVSAvoidbottom area cooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dedicated lower cold air channel portion that specifically targets the bottom area for cold air delivery, while separate air channels serve the upper portions. The rear air suction channel is positioned to draw air from the bottom front end portion, creating a localized cooling circuit optimized for the bottom area. This ensures reliable cooling of the bottom region without compromising the overall system compactness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Area of stationary object

If the fan is arranged behind the bottom area, then the goods presentation space is maximized, but the air channel configuration becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegoods presentation spaceVSAvoidair channel configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air channel system is divided into distinct segmented components: a rear air suction channel portion extending vertically behind the bottom area, a lower air pressure channel portion extending horizontally in front of the rear suction channel, and a lower cold air channel portion connecting these elements. This segmentation allows each channel to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system manageability and maximizing goods presentation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 maximum space utilization for presenting goods while ensuring efficient cooling of the entire presentation space, particularly the bottom area, reducing energy consumption and maintaining stable temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

a fan for conveying air from the air suction channel (20) through an air pressure channel (32), through an evaporator (46), through a cold air channel (48) and through a perforated goods presentation space rear wall (16) to the goods presentation space (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

through an evaporator (46)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat Exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP2750556B1Refrigerated sales furniture
Publication Date: 2016.04.06 CARRIER CORP
  • EP2750556B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A refrigerated sales furniture (2) according to the present invention comprises a furniture rear wall (6) extending substantially upright from a base (4); a goods presentation space (10) including a bottom area (12); an air suction channel (20) for sucking air from a lower front end portion of the refrigerated sales furniture (2), the air suction channel (20) having a rear air suction channel portion (26) being arranged at a position behind the bottom area (12) of the goods presentation space (10) and arranged adjacent to and substantially in parallel to the furniture rear wall (4); a fan (30) for conveying air from the air suction channel (20) through an air pressure channel (32), through an evaporator (46), through a cold air channel (48) and through a perforated goods presentation space rear wall (16) to the goods presentation space (10), the fan (30) being arranged between the air suction channel (20) and the air pressure channel (32) at a height corresponding to the height of the bottom area (12) of the goods presentation space (10); the air pressure channel (32) having a lower air pressure channel portion (34) that extends in front of and substantially in parallel to the rear air suction channel portion (26) of the air suction channel (20); the cold air channel (48) having a lower cold air channel portion (54) for conveying cold air through the lower rear wall portion (18) of the perforated goods presentation space rear wall (16) to the bottom area (12) of the goods presentation space (10), the lower rear wall portion (18) of the perforated goods presentation space rear wall (16) being positioned behind the bottom area (12) of the goods presentation space (10), the lower cold air channel portion (54) extending between the lower air pressure channel portion (34) of the air pressure channel (32) and the lower rear wall portion (18) of the perforated goods presentation space rear wall (16).