An ultrasonic-assisted processing device for low-temperature space and a refrigerator

Abstract

The present invention provides an ultrasonic-assisted processing device and a refrigerator for a low-temperature space. Among them, the ultrasonic-assisted processing device is used to assist in freezing and / or pickling food materials, and it includes: a container for carrying food materials; a liquid storage box arranged on the periphery of the container, with an installation space left between the liquid storage box and the container; and at least one ultrasonic generator arranged in the installation space; a cooling cavity is defined inside the liquid storage box, and a cooling medium is contained in the cooling cavity. The advantage of the present invention is that it can avoid the influence of the heat generated by the ultrasonic generator on its own function, which is beneficial to improving the freezing quality and / or pickling effect of food materials.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of refrigeration and freezing equipment, and particularly to an ultrasonic-assisted processing device and a refrigerator for a low-temperature space. Background Art

[0002] Currently, the evaluation of the storage performance of refrigerators is no longer simply about extending the storage time. Some users also put forward requirements for the realization of certain auxiliary functions (such as freezing preservation, pickling, etc.).

[0003] However, for current refrigerators, improving the freezing preservation effect of meat generally relies on quick-freezing technology. But the quick-freezing scheme generally requires adding a quick-freezing tray and installing an ultrasonic generator at the bottom of the quick-freezing tray to use the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic generator to assist in freezing the food materials. Although it can improve the freezing speed of the food materials to a certain extent, the ultrasonic generator generates heat during operation, which has a reverse effect on the freezing of the food materials.

[0004] In addition, for pickled food materials, the low-temperature environment of the refrigerator will cause the pickling speed to be slow. The long pickling time increases the waiting time of users and also affects the freshness of the food materials themselves.

[0005] In the prior art, no effective solution has been proposed to achieve the above-mentioned auxiliary functions. Summary of the Invention

[0006] An object of the first aspect of the present invention is to overcome at least one defect in the prior art and provide an ultrasonic-assisted processing device that can avoid the influence of the heat generated by the ultrasonic generator on its own function and is beneficial to improving the freezing speed and / or pickling effect of food materials.

[0007] A further object of the first aspect of the present invention is to uniformly freeze the food materials and improve the freezing quality of the food materials.

[0008] An object of the second aspect of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator.

[0009] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides an ultrasonic-assisted processing device for a low-temperature space. The ultrasonic-assisted processing device is used to assist in freezing and / or pickling food materials, and it includes:

[0010] A container for carrying food materials;

[0011] A liquid storage box disposed around the container, with an installation space left between the liquid storage box and the container; and

[0012] At least one ultrasonic generator disposed in the installation space;

[0013] The interior of the liquid storage box defines a cooling cavity, and a cooling medium is contained in the cooling cavity.

[0014] Further, the liquid storage box is arranged below the container;

[0015] One side of the ultrasonic generator is in contact with the lower bottom surface of the container, and the other side is in contact with the upper surface of the liquid storage box.

[0016] Further, the liquid storage box includes an upper cover and a base, where

[0017] The upper cover includes a top plate and a skirt portion extending downward from the periphery of the top plate,

[0018] The base includes a bottom plate and a surrounding portion extending upward from the periphery of the bottom plate,

[0019] The shape of the surrounding portion is adapted to the shape of the skirt portion, so that the upper cover is hermetically buckled or covered on the base, forming a cooling cavity between the upper cover and the base.

[0020] Further, a plurality of ultrasonic generators are provided, and the plurality of ultrasonic generators are all fixed to the lower bottom surface of the container and are arranged in a matrix on the lower bottom surface of the container.

[0021] Further, the upper surfaces of the corresponding areas of the liquid storage box and the ultrasonic generator are both recessed downward to form installation spaces, and the ultrasonic generators are correspondingly embedded in the installation spaces, so that the lower bottom surface of the container abuts against the upper surface of the liquid storage box.

[0022] Further, the cooling medium is configured such that at least the surface of the medium exceeds the bottom end of the installation space.

[0023] Further, the ultrasonic generator is an ultrasonic vibrator or an ultrasonic wafer.

[0024] Further, the frequency of the ultrasonic generator is 20 kHz to 60 kHz.

[0025] Further, the sound intensity on the lower bottom surface of the container is 0.05 W / cm 2 ~2 W / cm 2 .

[0026] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a refrigerator, the interior of which defines a storage compartment, and the storage compartment is provided with any one of the above ultrasonic assisted treatment devices.

[0027] The ultrasonic-assisted processing device of the present invention, when used to assist in freezing food materials, since a liquid storage box is provided on the periphery of the container, a cooling cavity is defined inside the liquid storage box, and a cooling medium is contained in the cooling cavity. Therefore, the heat generated by the ultrasonic generator can be timely absorbed by the cooling medium, minimizing the heat transfer to the container and improving the freezing speed of the food materials. When used to assist in pickling food materials, the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic generator cause the food materials to vibrate slightly, and during the continuous vibration, the pickling agent can be more fully and quickly immersed in the food materials, improving the pickling speed and pickling effect of the food materials. In addition, the cooling medium timely absorbing the heat generated by the ultrasonic generator can also play a cooling role on the ultrasonic generator, preventing the ultrasonic generator from being damaged due to local overheating and extending the service life of the ultrasonic generator.

[0028] Furthermore, multiple ultrasonic generators are provided. By the simultaneous action of the multiple ultrasonic generators, the freezing rate of the food materials can be significantly improved, and the multiple ultrasonic generators are arranged in a matrix on the lower bottom surface of the container. In this way, the food materials can be frozen evenly, improving the freezing quality of the food materials.

[0029] Based on the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will become more clear about the above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030] By reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, various other advantages and benefits will become clear to those of ordinary skill in the art. The drawings are only for the purpose of showing the preferred embodiments and are not considered as a limitation to the present invention. Moreover, throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to represent the same components. In the drawings:

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 is an exploded view of an ultrasonic-assisted processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 3 is a top view of an ultrasonic-assisted processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an ultrasonic-assisted processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Embodiments

[0035] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited by the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure can be more thoroughly understood and the scope of the present disclosure can be completely conveyed to those skilled in the art.

[0036] It should be understood that in the description of this embodiment, the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus cannot be construed as a limitation on the present invention.

[0037] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 1 , the refrigerator may include a cabinet 10, and a plurality of storage compartments are defined inside the cabinet 10. The number, functions, and layout of the storage compartments can be configured according to requirements, and the present invention does not limit this. Preferably, the storage compartments can be divided into three layers: upper, middle, and lower. The upper layer is a refrigerating compartment 20 as a whole, the lower layer is two freezing compartments 30, and the middle layer is two ultrasonic-assisted treatment compartments 40, and an ultrasonic-assisted treatment device is provided in each ultrasonic-assisted treatment compartment 40.

[0038] It should be noted that the interior of the ultrasonic-assisted treatment compartment 40 is a low-temperature space, and the temperature can be configured to be above 0 °C (refrigerating temperature) for storing fresh fruits, vegetables, or ingredients stored for a short time. In this embodiment, the ultrasonic-assisted treatment compartment 40 can be used to place pickled ingredients (i.e., ingredients whose surfaces have been smeared with pickling agents or immersed in pickling agents), and the ultrasonic-assisted treatment device is used to accelerate the pickling speed. At this time, the ultrasonic-assisted treatment device serves as an auxiliary pickling device for the ingredients.

[0039] In addition, the temperature in the ultrasonic-assisted treatment compartment 40 can also be configured to be -8 °C to -25 °C (i.e., freezing temperature, and the specific temperature range can be adjusted according to needs) for freezing meats or other ingredients stored for a long time, and the ultrasonic-assisted treatment device is used to improve the freezing quality. At this time, the ultrasonic-assisted treatment device serves as an auxiliary freezing device for the ingredients. The ultrasonic-assisted treatment device will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] Figure 2 is an exploded view of an ultrasonic-assisted treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 2 and in combination with Figures 3 to 4, the ultrasonic-assisted processing device may include a container 50, a liquid storage box 60, and an ultrasonic generator 70. Among them, the container 50 is used to hold food ingredients. The liquid storage box 60 is arranged on the periphery of the container 50. A cooling cavity is defined inside the liquid storage box 60, and a cooling medium 80 is contained in the cooling cavity. An installation space 63 is left between the liquid storage box 60 and the container 50. The ultrasonic generator 70 can be one or more, and is arranged in the installation space 63 to generate ultrasonic signals and apply at least a part of the ultrasonic signals to the food ingredients.

[0041] In the ultrasonic-assisted processing device of the present invention, since the ultrasonic generator 70 generates heat during operation, by containing the cooling medium 80 in the cooling cavity of the liquid storage box 60, the cooling medium 80 is used to timely absorb the heat generated by the ultrasonic generator 70, minimizing the heat transfer to the container 50 as much as possible. Moreover, the cooling medium 80 absorbs the heat generated by the ultrasonic generator 70, which can also prevent the ultrasonic generator 70 from being damaged due to excessive local temperature, and to a certain extent improves the service life of the ultrasonic generator 70.

[0042] In practical applications, when the ultrasonic-assisted processing device is used as an auxiliary marinating device for food ingredients, the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic generator 70 can act on the food ingredients, causing the food ingredients to vibrate slightly. And during the continuous vibration process, the marinade can be more fully and quickly immersed into the food ingredients. Through the inventor's experimental determination, for example, when the marinated Orleans chicken wings after applying the marinade are placed in an ordinary refrigerating chamber for marinating, the marinating time is about 2 to 3 hours, while when placed in the ultrasonic-assisted freezing compartment 40 of the present invention, it only takes 20 to 30 minutes, greatly shortening the marinating time and having a better marinating effect.

[0043] When the ultrasonic-assisted processing device is used as an auxiliary freezing device for food ingredients, that is, using ultrasonic technology to quickly freeze the food ingredients, the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic generator 70 are applied to the food ingredients, which can play a role in strengthening heat transfer. It can not only promote the formation of crystal nuclei, but also change the nucleation temperature of the moisture inside the food ingredients, reduce the supercooling degree of the food ingredients, and promote the rapid nucleation of ice crystals. And the ultrasonic waves can also break larger ice crystals, forming small and uniform ice crystals, reducing the damage to cells and ensuring the freshness of the food ingredients.

[0044] In a preferred example, the liquid storage box 60 can be arranged below the container 50. One side of the ultrasonic generator 70 is in contact with the lower bottom surface of the container 50, and the other side is in contact with the upper surface of the liquid storage box 60. In this way, the ultrasonic generator 70 can be in thermal contact with the liquid storage box 60, and the cooling medium 80 can absorb the heat generated by the ultrasonic generator 70 more quickly, improving the heat dissipation effect.

[0045] In some other embodiments, to save the bottom space and maximize the space utilization, the liquid storage box 60 can also be arranged on one side of the container 50. Correspondingly, the ultrasonic generator 70 is fixed to one side of the container 50 facing the liquid storage box 60.

[0046] In an alternative embodiment, the liquid storage box 60 at least includes an upper cover 61 and a base 62. Among them, the upper cover 61 includes a top plate 611 and a skirt portion 612 extending downward from the periphery of the top plate 611. The base 62 includes a bottom plate 621 and a surrounding portion 622 extending upward from the periphery of the bottom plate 621. The shape of the skirt portion 612 is adapted to the shape of the surrounding portion 622, so that the upper cover 61 can be hermetically buckled or covered on the base 62, and the above-mentioned cooling cavity is formed between the upper cover 61 and the base 62.

[0047] In this embodiment, the cooling medium 80 can be a mixed solution, and its specific heat capacity can be between 1 KJ / (kg·K) and 5 KJ / (kg·K). In addition, it is not a dangerous product, is not flammable, has good safety, is non-toxic and harmless, and meets the standard requirements of relevant additive laws and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).

[0048] In an alternative embodiment, multiple ultrasonic generators 70 can be provided. The multiple ultrasonic generators 70 are all fixed to the lower bottom surface of the container 50 and are arranged in a matrix on the lower bottom surface of the container 50. For example, the multiple ultrasonic generators 70 are divided into two groups with the same number. One group of ultrasonic generators 70 is arranged at equal intervals in the front area of the lower bottom surface of the container 50 along the length direction of the container 50, and the other group of ultrasonic generators 70 is arranged at equal intervals in the rear area of the lower bottom surface of the container 50 along the length direction of the container 50. Thus, by arranging the multiple ultrasonic generators 70, not only can the freezing rate of the food materials be improved, but also the multiple ultrasonic generators 70 are evenly distributed, which can improve the uniformity of freezing of the food materials.

[0049] Considering that when the liquid storage box 60 is arranged below the container 50, the entire weight of the container 50 is actually applied to the ultrasonic generator 70. To avoid damaging the ultrasonic generator 70, the above-mentioned installation space 63 can be formed by both the upper surfaces of the corresponding areas of the liquid storage box 60 and the ultrasonic generator 70 being recessed downward, which is equivalent to an installation groove. When the container 50 is placed on the liquid storage box 60, the ultrasonic generator 70 is correspondingly embedded in the installation space 63, so that the lower bottom surface of the container 50 abuts against the upper surface of the liquid storage box 60, and the container 50 is supported by the liquid storage box 60. And the ultrasonic generator 70 is located in the installation space 63, avoiding its direct exposure to the external environment, which can reduce the damage of the ultrasonic generator 70.

[0050] Further, when injecting the cooling medium 80 into the cooling cavity, it should be ensured that the medium surface of the cooling medium 80 at least exceeds the bottom end of the installation space 63, so that the ultrasonic generator 70 can have better thermal contact with the cooling medium 80, improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the ultrasonic generator 70.

[0051] In this embodiment, the ultrasonic generator 70 can be an ultrasonic vibrator or an ultrasonic wafer, and is fixed to the lower bottom surface of the container 50 by bonding.

[0052] The frequency of the ultrasonic generator 70 is preferably 20 kHz to 60 kHz. For example, 30 kHz, 40 kHz, 50 kHz are all acceptable. The ultrasonic waves in this frequency range have strong penetration ability, which can improve the freezing rate of the food ingredients and make the internal and external temperatures of the food ingredients uniform.

[0053] In this embodiment, the sound intensity transmitted to the lower bottom surface of the container 50 by the ultrasonic waves can be controlled between 0.05 W / cm 2 ~2 W / cm 2 so that the ultrasonic generator 70 can achieve a good freezing effect on the premise of low energy consumption.

[0054] According to any optional embodiment or combination of multiple optional embodiments of the present invention, the embodiments of the present invention can achieve the following technical effects:

[0055] In the ultrasonic-assisted processing device of the present invention, since a liquid storage box 60 is provided outside the container 50, a cooling cavity is defined inside the liquid storage box 60, and a cooling medium 80 is contained in the cooling cavity. Therefore, the heat generated by the ultrasonic generator 70 can be timely absorbed by the cooling medium 80, minimizing the heat transfer to the container 50 to avoid affecting the freezing rate of the food ingredients. In addition, the cooling medium 80 timely absorbing the heat generated by the ultrasonic generator 70 can also cool the ultrasonic generator 70, preventing the ultrasonic generator 70 from being damaged due to local overheating and extending the service life of the ultrasonic generator 70.

[0056] Further, multiple ultrasonic generators 70 are provided. By the simultaneous action of the multiple ultrasonic generators 70, the freezing rate of the food ingredients can be significantly improved, and the multiple ultrasonic generators 70 are arranged in a matrix on the lower bottom surface of the container 50. In this way, the food ingredients can be frozen evenly, improving the freezing quality of the food ingredients.

[0057] Those skilled in the art can understand that although some of the embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments rather than other features, the combination of the features of different embodiments means that it is within the scope of the present invention and forms different embodiments. For example, any one of the embodiments claimed in the claims can be used in any combination.

[0058] At this point, those skilled in the art should recognize that although numerous exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications that conform to the principles of the present invention can still be directly determined or derived from the disclosed content of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be understood and recognized as covering all such other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic assisted processing device for use in a low-temperature space, the ultrasonic assisted processing device being used to assist in freezing and / or assisting in pickling food, characterized in that: include: Container, used to hold food; a liquid storage box, arranged on the periphery of the container, with an installation space reserved between the liquid storage box and the container; and at least one ultrasonic generator, disposed in the installation space; The interior of the liquid storage box defines a cooling cavity, and the cooling cavity is filled with a cooling medium; The liquid storage box is arranged below the container; One side of the ultrasonic generator is in contact with the lower bottom surface of the container, and the other side is in contact with the upper surface of the liquid storage box; The upper surfaces of the liquid storage box and the corresponding areas of the ultrasonic generator are both recessed downward to form the installation space, and the ultrasonic generator is correspondingly embedded in the installation space so that the lower bottom surface of the container abuts against the upper surface of the liquid storage box; The cooling medium is arranged such that a medium surface thereof exceeds at least a bottom end of the installation space.

2. The ultrasonic-assisted treatment device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid storage box includes an upper cover and a base, wherein The upper cover includes a top plate and a skirt portion extending downward from the periphery of the top plate. The base includes a bottom plate and a barrier portion extending upward from the periphery of the bottom plate. The shape of the enclosure portion is adapted to the shape of the skirt portion, so that the upper cover is sealed and fastened or covers the base, forming the cooling cavity between the upper cover and the base.

3. The ultrasound-assisted treatment device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of ultrasonic generators are provided, and the plurality of ultrasonic generators are all fixed to the lower bottom surface of the container and arranged in a matrix on the lower bottom surface of the container.

4. The ultrasound-assisted treatment device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ultrasonic generator is an ultrasonic vibrator or an ultrasonic chip.

5. The ultrasound-assisted treatment device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frequency of the ultrasonic generator is 20kHz to 60kHz.

6. The ultrasound-assisted treatment device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sound intensity of the bottom surface of the container is 0.05W / cm 2 ~2W / cm 2 .

7. A refrigerator having a storage compartment defined therein, characterized in that: The storage room is provided with an ultrasonic assisted processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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