Refrigeration Interface and Event Tracking for Secure Temperature Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration systems, such as ultra-low temperature freezers, are cumbersome to manage, prone to user input errors due to difficult keypads, and lack data tracking and security features, making it difficult to monitor and display operational data over time.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration system with a user-friendly interface that monitors and displays temperature and events, utilizing multiple temperature sensors and a graphical user interface to track data, includes a backup power system and injector for temperature control, and allows user input for setting configurations and security management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a keypad is used for user input, then settings can be entered, but user input errors increase due to difficult operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical keypad system with a touchscreen display that accepts various input methods including touch, stylus, and potentially voice or gesture controls. This substitution eliminates the physical limitations of keypads while maintaining settings input functionality, thereby improving both ease of operation and input accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The touchscreen interface acts as an intermediary between the user and the refrigeration system controls. It provides a more intuitive mediation layer that reduces input errors by offering clearer visual feedback, larger interaction targets, and multiple input modalities compared to a traditional keypad.
2Loss of information
If conventional refrigeration systems are used, then basic cooling function is provided, but data tracking and monitoring over extended periods is unable to be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The touchscreen display serves multiple functions: it provides the user interface for settings control, displays real-time operational data, tracks historical temperature and event data, and presents ambient temperature information. This multi-functionality adds data tracking capabilities without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors and records operational data, temperature variations, and events without requiring manual intervention. The controller continuously collects data from sensors and stores it in memory, enabling automatic long-term tracking while minimizing the complexity of additional monitoring components.
3Reliability
If multiple refrigeration systems recover from power failure simultaneously, then power restoration is achieved, but power surge demand exceeds system coping capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a staged recovery protocol where refrigeration systems are brought back online in sequences rather than simultaneously. The controller monitors power availability and activates systems one at a time or in controlled groups, preventing power surges while ensuring all systems eventually recover from power failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The recovery process is made dynamic and adaptive rather than static and simultaneous. The system adjusts the recovery timing and pacing based on real-time power availability and system conditions, allowing flexible management of power demand during restoration to prevent overwhelming the power supply.
4Loss of information
If conventional refrigeration systems are used, then cooling operation is provided, but security features indicating user interaction are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The touchscreen interface is designed to serve dual purposes: it provides the control functionality needed for operating the refrigeration system while simultaneously tracking and recording user interactions. Each touch, selection, and configuration change is automatically logged with user identification and timestamp, adding security tracking without requiring separate hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide methods of displaying information associated with a refrigeration system, methods for managing a refrigeration system, refrigeration systems, methods of providing redundancy to a refrigeration system, and injector systems. A refrigeration system and method for displaying information associated with a refrigeration system includes monitoring a temperature associated with the refrigeration system, detecting events associated with the refrigeration system, and displaying the temperature and at least one event associated with the refrigeration system occurring during a predetermined period of time, including displaying the temperature occurring during the predetermined period of time and displaying a user interface element associated with at least one event occurring during the predetermined period of time.