Temperature control cabinet

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temperature control cabinets for medical products suffer from uneven temperature distribution and complex accessibility issues for maintenance, as the airflow is not evenly distributed, and the temperature control device is difficult to repair due to its integrated design within multiple housing walls.

Innovation Solution

A compact temperature control cabinet design with an integrated ceiling module housing the temperature control and operating devices, featuring a vertical air duct with front and rear air inlets and outlets, allowing for direct access and simplified assembly, and a fan-cooled air circulation system that ensures homogeneous temperature control and easy component interchangeability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the temperature control device is integrated within multiple housing walls, then the temperature control function is achieved, but the accessibility for maintenance and repair becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control functionVSAvoidaccessibility of temperature control device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature control device is segmented into a separate ceiling module that can be independently accessed. The ceiling module contains the temperature control device, operating device, and air inlet, allowing maintenance personnel to access these components by simply removing the ceiling module rather than disassembling multiple housing walls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ceiling module acts as an intermediary structure that houses the temperature control device and provides a convenient access point. By placing the temperature control device within this removable ceiling module, the patent creates an intermediate access pathway that simplifies maintenance while maintaining the integrated functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the air duct extends vertically in the rear space, then the temperature control is achieved, but the air flow distribution becomes uneven with lower compartments affected first

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidtemperature distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The air duct configuration is changed from a purely vertical rear extension to a multi-dimensional structure that includes both vertical and horizontal components. The air duct extends vertically from the ceiling module and then horizontally into the interior space, allowing air to be distributed to multiple compartments simultaneously from different locations rather than flowing sequentially from top to bottom.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The air duct is designed with different sections having different functions: the vertical section connects to the ceiling module and operating device, while the horizontal section distributes air to specific compartments. This local differentiation allows optimized air distribution to each compartment area, ensuring uniform temperature control across all compartments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of repair

If the ceiling module houses all electrical components, then the accessibility for maintenance is improved, but the overall depth of the temperature control cabinet increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of electrical componentsVSAvoidoverall depth of temperature control cabinet
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The ceiling module merges multiple functions into a single compact unit: it houses the temperature control device, operating device, display, and air inlet. By combining these components into one integrated module positioned at the ceiling, the patent improves accessibility without requiring a proportional increase in overall cabinet depth, as the module utilizes the vertical space efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 accessibility for maintenance, ensures even temperature distribution across all compartments, and simplifies assembly by housing all electrical components in a compact ceiling module, reducing the overall depth and enhancing the efficiency of temperature control.

Implementation Method 1

Air circulation occurs because the compartment shelves are perforated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir circulation: Convection

Implementation Method 2

an electrical temperature control device is provided within an air duct

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature control: Heating

Implementation Method 3

the temperature-controlled air provided by the ceiling module can be made available via the air duct directly or simultaneously to the respective compartments

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3016558B1Temperature control cabinet
Publication Date: 2017.10.11 BARKEY
  • EP3016558B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3016558B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3016558B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a temperature control cabinet, particularly a warming cabinet for pre-warming medical products such as infusions, blankets and the like, said cabinet comprising: a housing containing a bottom wall, a top wall, a rear wall connecting the bottom wall and the top wall, and upright side walls running on either side thereof for forming a plurality of compartments inside the housing; and a temperature control unit for producing an air stream flowing in the interior of the housing in order that a predetermined temperature can be applied to the product stored in the compartment. The top wall is designed as a casing-like cover module, in which the temperature control unit and an operating unit are arranged and the cover module is detachably mounted on the rear wall and/or the side wall and/or on a traverse connecting the two side walls.