Refrigerated Display Door Hinge Nesting to Reduce Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Condensation on the sealing surfaces of doors in refrigerated enclosures impairs sealing and decreases energy efficiency, while relying on electric heater wires to inhibit condensation can violate stringent energy efficiency regulations.
Innovation Solution
A temperature-controlled enclosure with a door design featuring an insulated panel assembly, upper and lower hinges with hinge axes inside the outer edge of the panes, and an insulating device that forms a seal between the frame assembly and the door to inhibit heat transfer and condensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If electric heater wires are employed to inhibit condensation, then condensation on sealing surfaces is reduced, but electrical power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the electric heater wires from the thermal frame and relocates the hinge mechanism inside the door assembly. This extraction eliminates the source of condensation (the thermal bridge) while avoiding the need for energy-consuming heating elements to prevent condensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an insulating device as an intermediary element between the thermal frame and the door. This insulating mediator prevents direct thermal contact, eliminating the thermal bridge that causes condensation without requiring active heating.
2Reliability
If electric heater wires are used in thermal frames, then condensation is inhibited, but energy efficiency regulations become harder to meet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hinge mechanism from the thermal frame and integrates it into the door assembly. This removal eliminates the thermal bridge created by the hinge in the frame, preventing condensation and maintaining sealing reliability without energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
An insulating device is introduced as a mediator between the thermal frame and door, creating a thermal break that prevents condensation formation while maintaining the sealing function, thus improving both reliability and energy efficiency.
3Ease of manufacture
If hinges are mounted on the exterior of the door, then installation is simpler, but condensation forms on sealing surfaces due to thermal bridges
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is nested inside the door assembly rather than being mounted on the exterior. This nesting approach eliminates the external thermal bridge while maintaining hinge functionality, preventing condensation without complicating the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating device acts as a mediator that separates the thermal frame from the door, eliminating the thermal bridge effect that would otherwise cause condensation, while the hinge remains integrated within the door structure.
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 provides improved thermal efficiency, reduces condensation buildup, and maintains a positive thermal seal, thereby enhancing energy efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
an insulating device coupled to the frame assembly and configured to contact the door assembly such that heat transfer is inhibited between ambient air around the temperature-controlled storage enclosure and the interior space of the temperature-controlled enclosure
Implementation Method 2
The insulated panel assembly includes an adhesive between the insulated panel assembly and the upper rail or the lower rail
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature-controller enclosure for displaying cold items includes a body, a frame assembly, and one or more doors coupled to the frame assembly. The body including a front opening and defining an interior space of the enclosure. The frame assembly is coupled in the front opening of the body. At least one of the doors includes an insulated panel assembly and an upper and lower hinge. The insulated panel assembly includes two or more panes each including an outer edge. The upper hinge and the lower hinge each include a hinge axis and are coupled to the insulated panel assembly such that the hinge axes are inside the outer edge of at least one of the two or more panes.