Process for optimising the position of refrigerator air guides in order to achieve increased energy efficiency of the refrigerator

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a method for configuring an open display refrigerator, the method comprises: measuring an initial temperature difference between the warmest temperature recorded by an array of temperature sensors and the coldest temperature recorded by the array of temperature sensors; coupling an air guide to at least one shelf; adjusting the distance between the air guide and the edge of the shelf for the at least one shelf; measuring a final temperature difference associated with the distance, the final temperature difference being the temperature difference between the warmest temperature recorded by the array of temperature sensors and the coldest temperature recorded by the array of temperatures sensors after coupling an air guide to the at least one shelf; selecting a distance from the plurality of distances that gives rise to at least a threshold temperature difference, or selecting the distance from the plurality of distances wherein the difference between the initial temperature difference and the associated final temperature difference is greatest.

1 . A method, comprising:
 measuring a first energy consumption from a plurality of energy consumptions of a display refrigerator that has an air curtain separating an interior refrigerated space from exterior air with an air curtain guide that is coupled to an edge of a shelf and in a first position;   adjusting the air guide such that the air guide is spaced apart from the edge of the shelf by each of a plurality of distances;   measuring remaining energy consumptions from the plurality of energy consumptions, each energy consumption from the plurality of energy consumptions measured with the air curtain guide spaced apart from the edge of the shelf by a different distance from the plurality of distances; and   selecting a distance from the plurality of distances based on that distance being associated with a lowest energy consumption from the plurality of energy consumptions.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the shelf is a first shelf, the method further comprising:
 determining a maximum distance between the air guide and the edge of the shelf, the maximum distance being a distance beyond which the air guide obstructs vision of an average user from viewing an item placed on a second shelf sited below the first shelf.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the air guide is adjusted at 10 mm increments. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adjusting the air guide includes moving the air guide in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the air guide is coupled to the edge of the shelf at a minimum distance from the plurality of distances. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising measuring each distance from the plurality of distances while adjusting the air guide. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the air guide is an aerofoil. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 measuring an initial energy consumption; and   coupling the air curtain guide to the edge of the shelf after the initial energy consumption is measured.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each energy consumption from the plurality of energy consumptions is measured over a period of 24 hours. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein measuring each energy consumption from the plurality of energy consumptions occurs after a temperature within the refrigerator stabilizes following adjustment of the air guide. 
     
     
         11 . A method, comprising:
 measuring an initial energy consumption of a display refrigerator that has an air curtain separating an interior refrigerated space from exterior air;   coupling an air curtain guide to an edge of a shelf after measuring the initial energy consumption;   adjusting the air guide such that the air guide is spaced apart from the edge of the shelf by each of a plurality of distances;   measuring a plurality of energy consumptions, each energy consumption from the plurality of energy consumptions measured with the air curtain guide spaced apart from the edge of the shelf by a different distance from the plurality of distances; and   selecting a distance from the plurality of distances based on a difference between (1) the initial energy consumption and (2) an energy consumption from the plurality of energy consumptions that is associated with that distance being greater than a threshold energy difference.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the initial energy consumption is measured over a period of 24 hours. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each energy consumption from the plurality of energy consumptions is measured over a period of 24 hours. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein measuring each energy consumption from the plurality of energy consumptions occurs after a temperature within the refrigerator stabilizes following adjustment of the air guide. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the shelf is a first shelf, the method further comprising:
 determining a maximum distance between the air guide and the edge of the shelf, the maximum distance being a distance beyond which the air guide obstructs vision of an average user from viewing an item placed on a second shelf sited below the first shelf.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein adjusting the air guide includes moving the air guide in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction.