Temperature-controlled container comprising a UV light source
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature-controlled containers in aircraft galleys, such as ovens and refrigerators, require time-consuming cleaning processes due to contaminant buildup, which increases turnaround time and reduces operational efficiency, as dirt accumulation on light irradiating and detecting means in previous designs reduces their effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A temperature-controlled container with an ultraviolet (UV) light source mounted outside the cavity, insulated from the internal environment, emits a UV light beam to highlight contaminants when the door is open, improving visibility during cleaning without affecting the internal temperature or space constraints, and is wirelessly controllable for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a UV light source is positioned inside the temperature-controlled cavity, then contaminants can be effectively highlighted, but the light source is exposed to extreme temperatures reducing its lifespan and effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The UV light source is extracted from the temperature-controlled cavity and repositioned externally, mounted on the door frame or external housing. This separation allows the light source to operate in ambient temperature conditions while still illuminating the cavity interior when the door is open, resolving the contradiction between detection effectiveness and source durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The door or door frame serves as an intermediary structure that houses the UV light source externally while maintaining the thermal seal of the cavity. This intermediary positioning allows the light source to be thermally isolated from the cavity interior through insulation, protecting it from extreme temperatures while enabling contaminant highlighting functionality.
2Illumination intensity
If the UV light source is mounted inside the cavity, then direct illumination is achieved, but thermal insulation requirements increase and space inside the cavity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The UV light source is extracted from the cavity interior and mounted externally on the door frame or housing structure. This eliminates the space occupation issue while maintaining effective illumination of the cavity interior through strategic positioning and directional lighting design.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting function is moved from the three-dimensional cavity interior space to the external door frame dimension. This spatial reconfiguration allows the light source to illuminate the cavity from outside, effectively using the door structure as a mounting platform without consuming valuable interior volume.
3Temperature
If the UV light source is positioned outside the cavity, then thermal insulation is improved, but the light beam may be obstructed by the door structure
Solution Approach 1:
The door frame or housing structure is designed with specific local features such as recesses, windows, or cutouts at strategic positions where the UV light source is mounted. These localized modifications allow the light beam to pass through unobstructed while the rest of the door maintains its thermal insulation integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The door structure is segmented into functional zones: thermally insulated sections for maintaining temperature and open or recessed sections for UV light transmission. This segmentation allows different parts of the door to serve different purposes - thermal protection and light transmission - simultaneously.
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 UV light source effectively highlights contaminants, enhancing cleaning efficiency and reducing turnaround time by allowing for precise identification of cleanliness, thus improving the overall operational efficiency of aircraft galleys and ensuring thorough contamination removal.
Implementation Method 1
Ultraviolet light generated by the light irradiating means is absorbed by dirt accumulating within the oven causing it to fluoresce
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A temperature-controlled container for preparation or storage of food products comprising: a temperature-controlled cavity for storing or preparing food products, a thermally insulated door configured to seal the temperature-controlled cavity in a closed configuration, and a UV light source mounted to the temperature-controlled container outside the temperature-controlled cavity and insulated from the temperature-controlled cavity by the thermally insulated door when in the closed configuration, wherein the UV light source is arranged to emit a UV light beam into the temperature-controlled cavity when the thermally insulated door is an open configuration. There is also provided an aircraft galley comprising one or more of said temperature-controlled containers.