Wireless Cooler Temperature Control for Off-Hours Energy Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooler management systems are inefficient in managing energy usage, particularly in commercial environments where temperature control is not consistently needed during non-trading hours, leading to increased energy costs and requiring costly and time-consuming retrofitting processes.
Innovation Solution
A wireless temperature sensing and control system that measures temperature in temperature-controlled units and adjusts electric power based on predefined time periods and thresholds, allowing for efficient temperature management during trading and non-trading hours without the need for extensive rewiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous temperature control is maintained during both trading and non-trading hours, then product freshness is preserved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic temperature control by switching between different temperature setpoints based on trading hours. During trading hours, the cooler maintains a first temperature suitable for product dispensing. During non-trading hours, it transitions to a second, higher temperature that still preserves product freshness but reduces energy consumption. This periodic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making temperature control intermittent rather than continuous.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the temperature setpoint based on operational status. The controller receives signals indicating whether the cooler is in trading or non-trading mode and automatically modifies the temperature requirement accordingly. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize energy usage while maintaining adequate product preservation, resolving the contradiction between continuous control and energy efficiency.
2Reliability
If existing coolers are retrofitted with traditional management systems, then temperature control capability is improved, but installation time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex wired electrical connections with wireless communication technology. The management system communicates with the cooler components via wireless signals, eliminating the need for extensive rewiring of existing coolers. This substitution dramatically reduces installation time and complexity while maintaining full temperature control capability, directly resolving the contradiction between improved control and reduced installation burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless management system is designed to be universally compatible with various cooler types and configurations. It can be retrofitted to existing coolers without requiring model-specific wiring or complex integration procedures. This universal design allows rapid deployment across different cooler installations, reducing both installation time and costs while providing enhanced temperature control functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If extensive rewiring is performed during retrofitting, then system integration is improved, but installation complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces physical wiring infrastructure with wireless communication protocols. Sensors, controllers, and actuators communicate via wireless signals, eliminating the need to drill holes, run cables, and connect electrical wires within the cooler structure. This approach maintains full system integration and adaptability while dramatically simplifying the installation process, directly addressing the contradiction between integration quality and installation complexity.
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 solution enables energy-efficient temperature control by reducing energy consumption during non-trading hours while maintaining product freshness and allows for easy retrofitting of existing coolers, minimizing installation time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor to measure a temperature in the temperature controlled unit and to transmit wirelessly the measured temperature to a controller
Implementation Method 2
a controller comprising a memory for storing data and a processor arranged to control electric power to the temperature controlled unit on the basis of a combination of the measured temperature and the stored data
Data Source
AI summary
An energy management system for use with a temperature controlled unit for food or beverages. A sensor is provided that comprises means to measure a temperature in the temperature controlled unit, and means to transmit wirelessly the measured temperature to a controller. The controller comprising a memory for storing data, and a processor arranged to control electric power to the temperature controlled unit on the basis of a combination of the measured temperature and the stored data. The stored data defines at least two time periods in which a first temperature is required in the first time period, and a second, different temperature is required during the second time period.