Device for preparing carbonated food products, control method and refrigeration appliance

Abstract

The application discloses a device for preparing carbonated food, a control method and a refrigeration equipment, and belongs to the technical field of household appliances. The device for preparing carbonated food comprises a container, a carbon dioxide generator and a controller. The container is used for loading food. The carbon dioxide generator is used for providing carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide generator is connected with the container through a pipeline. The pipeline is provided with a valve. The controller is connected with the valve. The controller determines a preparation time and a target concentration according to a preset eating time, and controls the opening and closing of the valve according to the preparation time and the target concentration, so as to achieve the purpose of adjusting the carbon dioxide concentration in the container. The carbonated food can be eaten when the preset eating time is reached, the carbonated food can be prepared at a fixed time, the concentration does not need to be manually adjusted, the operation is simple, the realization is strong, the preparation is efficient, the device is suitable for preparing carbonated fruits, vegetables and other food, and the prepared food has stronger carbonated taste and is more delicious.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of household appliance technology, and in particular to an apparatus, control method and refrigeration equipment for preparing carbonated food. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, carbonated foods can be produced by mixing fruits and vegetables with carbon dioxide and leaving them for a period of time. The carbonic taste of the produced foods is related to the concentration of carbon dioxide. However, the amount of carbon dioxide gas needs to be adjusted by using a pressure relief valve or other structures. The structure is relatively simple and the application scenarios are limited. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes an apparatus for preparing carbonated foods, which can control and adjust the carbon dioxide concentration according to user needs, achieving automated preparation of carbonated foods. It features simple operation, high feasibility, and high efficiency.

[0004] The present invention also provides a control method, a control device, a refrigeration device, and a computer-readable storage medium for an apparatus for preparing carbonated food.

[0005] An apparatus for preparing carbonated food according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: a container for loading food; a carbon dioxide generator for supplying carbon dioxide, the carbon dioxide generator being connected to the container via a pipeline having a valve; and a controller connected to the valve, the controller being configured to acquire a preset consumption time, determine a preparation time and a target concentration corresponding to the preset consumption time based on the preset consumption time, and control the valve opening and closing based on the preparation time and the target concentration to adjust the carbon dioxide concentration in the container to reach the target concentration.

[0006] The apparatus for preparing carbonated food according to embodiments of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0007] A carbon dioxide generator supplies carbon dioxide to a container, and a valve can open or close the pipeline between the generator and the container. Users can preset the consumption time according to their needs, determine the preparation time and target concentration based on the preset consumption time, and then control the valve to open or close according to the preparation time and target concentration to adjust the carbon dioxide concentration in the container to meet the requirements for preparing carbonated foods. In this way, when the carbon dioxide concentration reaches the required level, the carbonated food can be consumed at the preset consumption time, realizing timed preparation of carbonated foods without manual adjustment of concentration. It is simple to operate, highly feasible, and efficient, and is suitable for preparing carbonated fruits, vegetables, and other foods. The prepared foods have a stronger carbonated taste and are more delicious.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the device further includes an identification module for identifying food types, the identification module being connected to the controller, and the controller being further configured to determine the preparation time and the target concentration corresponding to the preparation time based on the preset consumption time and the food type.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the controller is further configured to obtain a preset degree of carbonation of the food, and determine the preparation time and the target concentration corresponding to the preparation time based on the preset consumption time, the type of food and the preset degree of carbonation.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the device further includes a display module connected to the controller, the controller being further configured to control the valve to start timing after it is closed, compare the timing time with the preparation time to determine the current degree of carbonation of the food in the container, and control the display module to display information corresponding to the current degree of carbonation of the food.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the container is provided with a gas sensor for detecting carbon dioxide concentration, the gas sensor is connected to the controller, and the controller is further used to control the valve to close when the carbon dioxide concentration in the container reaches the target concentration.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the container is provided with an exhaust port for discharging air from the container when the carbon dioxide generator supplies carbon dioxide to the container.

[0013] According to a second aspect embodiment of the present invention, a control method for an apparatus for preparing carbonated food, the apparatus comprising a container and a carbon dioxide generator, the container for loading food, the carbon dioxide generator for supplying carbon dioxide, the carbon dioxide generator being connected to the container via a pipeline equipped with a valve, the control method comprising:

[0014] Get preset parameters;

[0015] The preparation time and the target concentration corresponding to the preparation time are determined according to preset parameters, including a preset consumption time.

[0016] The valve is switched on and off according to the preparation time and the target concentration to adjust the carbon dioxide concentration in the container to reach the target concentration.

[0017] The control method according to embodiments of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0018] The control method is applicable to the apparatus for preparing carbonated foods described in the above embodiments. Users can preset the consumption time according to their needs, use the preset consumption time as a preset parameter, determine the preparation time of the carbonated food according to the preset parameter, and determine the target concentration corresponding to the preparation time. The valve is opened and closed according to the preparation time and target concentration to adjust the carbon dioxide concentration in the container so that the carbon dioxide concentration meets the requirements for preparing carbonated foods. In this way, when the carbon dioxide concentration meets the requirements, the carbonated food can be consumed when the preset consumption time is reached. This achieves timed preparation of carbonated foods without the need for manual adjustment of the concentration. The operation is simple, highly feasible, and efficient. It is suitable for controlling the preparation of carbonated fruits, vegetables, and other foods. The prepared foods have a stronger carbonated taste and are more delicious.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the device further includes an identification module for identifying food types, the preset parameters further include food types, and the step of determining the preparation time and the target concentration corresponding to the preparation time according to the preset parameters includes:

[0020] The preparation time and the target concentration corresponding to the preparation time are determined based on the preset consumption time and food type.

[0021] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the preset parameters further include a preset degree of carbonation for the food, and the step of determining the preparation time and the target concentration corresponding to the preparation time based on the preset parameters includes:

[0022] The preparation time and the target concentration corresponding to the preparation time are determined based on the preset consumption time, the type of food, and the preset degree of carbonation.

[0023] According to some embodiments of the present invention, determining the preparation time and the target concentration corresponding to the preparation time based on the preset consumption time, the food type, and the preset degree of carbonation includes:

[0024] Obtain a preset relationship table between the target concentration and preparation time, food type, and required level of carbonation;

[0025] The corresponding carbonation level requirement is determined based on the preset carbonation level.

[0026] The preparation time is determined according to the preset consumption time;

[0027] The target concentration corresponding to the food type, the required level of carbonation, and the preparation time is obtained by querying the preset relationship table.

[0028] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the container is provided with a gas sensor for detecting carbon dioxide concentration, and the step of controlling the valve opening and closing according to the preparation time and the target concentration includes:

[0029] The valve opening time is determined based on the preparation time and the preset consumption time;

[0030] When the carbon dioxide concentration in the container reaches the target concentration after the valve is opened, the valve is controlled to close.

[0031] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the device further includes a display module, and the control method further includes:

[0032] When the valve is closed by the control, the timer begins;

[0033] The current degree of carbonation of the food in the container is determined by comparing the timing time with the preparation time.

[0034] The display module is controlled to display information corresponding to the current degree of carbonation.

[0035] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the control method further includes:

[0036] When the timing time is greater than or equal to the preparation time, the display module is controlled to display a prompt message to remind the user to consume the food.

[0037] A control device according to a third aspect of the present invention includes: a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the processor executes the computer program to implement the control method as described in the second aspect of the present invention.

[0038] A refrigeration apparatus according to a fourth aspect embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus for preparing carbonated food as described in the first aspect embodiment above or a control device as described in the third aspect embodiment.

[0039] According to a fifth aspect embodiment of the present invention, a computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions for performing the control method described in the second aspect embodiment above.

[0040] Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0041] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0042] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an apparatus for preparing carbonated food according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 2 This is a control flowchart of a control method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 3 This is a control flowchart of a control method according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 4 This is a control flowchart of a control method according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the steps for determining the preparation time and target concentration according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 6 This is a preset relationship table between the target concentration and the preparation time, food type, and carbonation degree requirement level according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 7 This is a control flowchart of a control method according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of the step of controlling and displaying the degree of carbonation in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 9 This is a control flowchart illustrating a specific example of a control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure label:

[0052] Apparatus for preparing carbonated food 100; container 110; first interface 111; exhaust port 112; carbon dioxide generator 120; second interface 121; pipeline 130; display module 140; base 150. Detailed Implementation

[0053] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0054] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, etc., are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0055] In the description of this invention, the use of "first" and "second" is for the purpose of distinguishing technical features only, and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated or the order of the technical features indicated.

[0056] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that terms such as "set up," "install," and "connect" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0057] The technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described below are some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments.

[0058] refer to Figure 1 The apparatus 100 for preparing carbonated foods according to an embodiment of the present invention is used to produce carbonated fruits, carbonated vegetables and other carbonated foods. It can be installed in refrigeration equipment such as refrigerators and freezers. The refrigeration equipment can provide a low-temperature environment, which is beneficial for food preservation and improving the production efficiency of carbonated foods. The apparatus 100 for preparing carbonated foods will be described below with specific examples.

[0059] Reference Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the apparatus 100 for preparing carbonated food provided in this embodiment of the invention includes a container 110, a carbon dioxide generator 120, and a controller. The container 110 is used to load ingredients such as fruits and vegetables. The carbon dioxide generator 120 is used to supply carbon dioxide (CO2) gas to the container 110. The carbon dioxide generator 120 is connected to the container 110 through a pipeline 130. A valve is provided on the pipeline 130. The valve can be a solenoid valve. The controller is connected to the valve and controls the valve to open or close the pipeline 130, so that the carbon dioxide gas mixes with the ingredients in the container 110 to achieve the purpose of carbonation treatment of the ingredients.

[0060] Reference Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, container 110 adopts a sealed box structure. Container 110 provides a chamber (not shown) for placing food. Container 110 may be equipped with a lid that can open or close the chamber, facilitating the placement or removal of food from container 110. A carbon dioxide generator 120 is disposed on one side of container 110. Carbon dioxide generator 120 can store carbon dioxide gas. In this embodiment, container 110 and carbon dioxide generator 120 are fixed on base 150, facilitating the installation of the entire device within a refrigeration unit. Figure 1As shown, a first interface 111 communicating with the chamber is provided on the side wall of the container 110, and a second interface 121 is provided on the side wall of the carbon dioxide generator 120. The first interface 111 and the second interface 121 are connected through the pipeline 130, so that the container 110 and the carbon dioxide generator 120 are connected, and the carbon dioxide gas generated in the carbon dioxide generator 120 can enter the container 110 along the pipeline 130.

[0061] It should be noted that the carbon dioxide generator 120 in this embodiment is a sealed tank structure. The carbon dioxide generator 120 can store carbon dioxide gas for a long time. For example, the carbon dioxide generator 120 can be a high-pressure gas cylinder for storing carbon dioxide gas; opening the valve allows carbon dioxide to be supplied to the container 110. Alternatively, the carbon dioxide generator 120 can be filled with reactants for generating carbon dioxide gas. For example, baking soda and acidic substances can be mixed in the carbon dioxide generator 120 to produce carbon dioxide through a chemical reaction. Carbon dioxide can also be obtained using materials such as sparkling water, carbon dioxide gas cartridges, or dry ice; the specific method is not limited. It can be understood that the prepared carbon dioxide can be stored in the carbon dioxide generator 120. When it is necessary to fill the container 110 with carbon dioxide gas, the controller opens the valve to automatically fill the container 110; closing the valve stops the filling of the container 110, requiring no manual operation.

[0062] It should be noted that, referring to Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, an exhaust port 112 is provided on the container 110. The exhaust port 112 is connected to the chamber. When the carbon dioxide generator 120 fills the container 110 with carbon dioxide gas, the air inside the container 110 can be discharged through the exhaust port 112, thereby increasing the carbon dioxide concentration in the container 110. An air pump can be connected to the exhaust port 112 to quickly discharge the air from the container 110. The specific method is not limited.

[0063] Considering that in related technologies, the preparation process of carbonated foods requires a long time, the carbon dioxide concentration is related to the preparation time, and different carbon dioxide concentrations result in different tastes, it is difficult to determine the real-time taste of fruits and vegetables during preparation. Users do not know when the preparation is complete or the intensity of the carbonated taste. Therefore, in this embodiment of the invention, a controller is used to control the opening and closing of a valve according to user needs, which can adjust the carbon dioxide concentration in container 110, thereby achieving the purpose of customized preparation of carbonated foods.

[0064] Taking the timed preparation of carbonated fruits and vegetables as an example, the user can set a consumption time, i.e., generate a preset consumption time. The controller uses this preset consumption time as a parameter, requiring the carbonated fruits and vegetables to be prepared before or just before the preset consumption time. In other words, the preparation time is determined based on the preset consumption time, and the preparation time is less than or equal to the preset consumption time, thus achieving the purpose of timed preparation. For example, if the user needs to consume carbonated fruit in 4 hours, the controller determines the preparation time to be 4 hours. By controlling the valve opening and closing to adjust the carbon dioxide concentration in container 110, the 4-hour preparation time will meet the user's consumption requirements, achieving timed preparation of carbonated fruits and vegetables.

[0065] It should be noted that when users need to make carbonated fruits and vegetables with the same taste, the higher the carbon dioxide concentration in container 110, the shorter the preparation time, and the lower the carbon dioxide concentration, the longer the preparation time. The required carbon dioxide concentration can be determined based on the preparation time. In other words, the preparation time and the target concentration corresponding to the preparation time can be determined based on the preset consumption time. The controller controls the opening and closing of the valve according to the target concentration so that the carbon dioxide concentration in container 110 reaches the target concentration. In this way, the user can eat the food when the preset consumption time is reached, which meets the requirements for timed preparation of carbonated fruits and vegetables.

[0066] In some embodiments, the preparation time and target concentration can be correlated by establishing a preset relationship table. After determining the preparation time, the required carbon dioxide concentration can be obtained by querying the preset relationship table. For example, a preparation time of 2 hours corresponds to a required carbon dioxide concentration greater than 90%; a preparation time of 4 hours corresponds to a required carbon dioxide concentration greater than 70%. The preset relationship table between preparation time and target concentration is established according to the requirements of the actual application scenario. In other embodiments, the target concentration can also be calculated using a preset formula based on the preparation time, without further limitation.

[0067] It should be noted that a gas sensor for detecting carbon dioxide concentration is installed inside container 110. The controller can obtain the carbon dioxide concentration inside container 110 in real time through the gas sensor, thereby determining whether the carbon dioxide concentration inside container 110 has reached the target concentration. In addition, in this embodiment, the concentration of carbon dioxide is expressed by the volume ratio of carbon dioxide gas in container 110 under normal pressure. Other forms of expressing carbon dioxide concentration can also be used, and there is no specific limitation.

[0068] It is understood that in this embodiment of the invention, a carbon dioxide generator 120 provides carbon dioxide to a container 110. The controller controls the opening and closing of a valve. After determining the target concentration based on a preset consumption time, when the carbon dioxide concentration in the container 110 has not reached the target concentration, the controller opens the valve, and the carbon dioxide generator 120 fills the container 110 with gas. When the carbon dioxide concentration in the container 110 reaches the target concentration, the controller closes the valve, stopping the filling of the container 110 with gas. This achieves accurate adjustment of the carbon dioxide concentration in the container 110, meeting the requirements for timed preparation of carbonated fruits and vegetables. Users can consume carbonated fruits and vegetables when the preset consumption time is reached without manual adjustment of the concentration. The operation is simple, highly feasible, and efficient. It is suitable for preparing carbonated fruits, carbonated vegetables, and other carbonated fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon, pear, citrus, cucumber, and tomato. After carbonation, these fruits and vegetables have a better taste. Compared to carbonated beverages, these carbonated fruits and vegetables are healthier and tastier. Moreover, the low temperature environment in the refrigerator is conducive to food preservation and also helps to improve the taste.

[0069] Understandably, different types of fruits and vegetables have different water contents, resulting in different preparation times. Fruits and vegetables with higher water content absorb carbon dioxide gas more easily, requiring shorter preparation times. For example, watermelons have a higher water content than apples, so preparing carbonated watermelons takes less time. Therefore, the preset parameters in this embodiment also include the type of fruit or vegetable, meaning the preparation time and target concentration are determined based on the preset consumption time and the type of fruit or vegetable.

[0070] Specifically, in some embodiments, an identification module is used to identify the type of food placed in container 110, and the type of food is determined based on the identification information. The identification module can be installed on container 110, and the structure of the identification module is not shown in the attached figure. In some embodiments, the identification module can be an image recognition module. The image recognition module uses a camera to capture images of fruits and vegetables inside container 110, collects image information through an image sensor and analyzes it, and identifies the type of food based on the image information. For example, after grapes are placed in container 110, an image of grapes is captured. The controller compares the image information with images pre-stored in the database to match the corresponding image, thereby determining that the fruit stored in container 110 is grapes.

[0071] Understandably, when making carbonated fruits and vegetables, some fruits and vegetables need to be cut into pieces before being placed in container 110, which also facilitates full contact between the fruits and vegetables and carbon dioxide, improving preparation efficiency. Since each type of fruit and vegetable emits different odor characteristics, especially after being cut into pieces, the identification module in this embodiment can also be an odor sensor. The odor sensor can be used to detect the odor of the fruits and vegetables in container 110, and the type of fruit and vegetable can be determined based on the odor characteristics.

[0072] It should be noted that in some embodiments, an image sensor and an odor sensor can be simultaneously installed on the container 110 to identify the type of food based on the collected image and odor information, resulting in higher accuracy. Of course, the identification module is not limited to the image sensor or odor sensor described in the above embodiments. The type of food can also be quickly obtained by manually inputting the type of food into a mobile app or on the refrigerator. Further details will not be elaborated here.

[0073] To facilitate differentiation of fruit and vegetable categories, this embodiment categorizes fruits and vegetables into citrus, melons, and berries. Citrus includes fruits such as oranges, tangerines, tangerines, and grapefruits; melons include fruits and vegetables such as watermelons, cantaloupes, cucumbers, and tomatoes; and berries include fruits and vegetables such as grapes, kiwis, pomegranates, and blueberries. It is understood that different types of fruits and vegetables require different carbon dioxide concentrations and preparation times to produce carbonated fruits and vegetables with the same taste. Therefore, when preparing carbonated fruits and vegetables, the preparation time is determined by combining the preset consumption time with the type of fruit and vegetable. Based on the preparation time, the corresponding target concentration is determined. The controller controls the valve opening and closing according to the target concentration, ensuring that the carbon dioxide concentration in container 110 reaches the target concentration, thus meeting the requirements for timed preparation of carbonated fruits and vegetables.

[0074] It can be understood that, based on the type of fruit and vegetable, a preset relationship table between preparation time and target concentration can be established. In other words, different types of fruits and vegetables have different preset relationship tables between preparation time and target concentration. For example, a user puts a diced watermelon into container 110, inputs the type of fruit and vegetable, and sets the consumption time. The controller determines that the type of fruit and vegetable is melon or gourd, and according to the preset relationship table corresponding to melon or gourd, it can find the target concentration corresponding to the user's preset consumption time. Thus, it controls the opening and closing of the valve according to the target concentration. For details, please refer to the description in the above embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0075] It should be noted that users' consumption needs also include taste preferences. It can be understood that the higher the degree of carbonation of fruits and vegetables, the stronger the taste. By obtaining the preset carbonation level of the food, the controller determines the preparation time based on the preset consumption time, food type, and preset carbonation level, and then further determines the target concentration based on the preparation time. In a specific embodiment, a preset relationship table between the target concentration and the required level of carbonation time, food type, and carbonation level can be constructed. This preset relationship table can be stored in the controller's storage medium. The controller obtains the user's requirements for the preset carbonation level, determines the corresponding carbonation level requirement based on the preset carbonation level, and determines the preparation time based on the preset consumption time. Then, by querying the preset relationship table, the controller finds the target concentration corresponding to the food type, carbonation level requirement, and preparation time, thereby obtaining the desired target concentration.

[0076] Reference Figure 1As shown, a display module 140 is installed on container 110. The display module 140 is connected to the controller and can display the current carbonation level of the food in container 110, allowing users to track the progress of carbonated food preparation. Specifically, users can customize the intensity of the carbonated food's flavor according to their consumption needs. Taking carbonated fruits and vegetables as an example, experiments have shown that the higher the carbon dioxide content absorbed by the fruits and vegetables, the stronger the carbonated flavor, as assessed by multiple sensory evaluations. This can also be understood as a higher carbon dioxide concentration, making it easier to prepare fruits and vegetables with a strong carbonated flavor. Furthermore, carbon dioxide concentration is related to preparation time. Therefore, in some embodiments, the preparation time can be determined by combining the preset consumption time, the type of fruit and vegetable, and the preset carbonation level according to the user's needs. This allows for the determination of the corresponding target concentration based on the preparation time, making the obtained target concentration closer to the concentration required to achieve consumption requirements, thus realizing customized preparation of carbonated fruits and vegetables.

[0077] Understandably, since the fruits and vegetables need to stand in container 110 for a period of time during the preparation process, the degree of carbonation of the fruits and vegetables will change over time. The display module 140 can display the information corresponding to different degrees of carbonation. For example, the display module 140 includes a display screen, which can display information such as light, text or images. The displayed content is not limited to the degree of carbonation, but can also include the preparation completion time, the current carbon dioxide concentration, etc. Users can know the current degree of carbonation of the fruits and vegetables based on the displayed content, realizing a visual display of the real-time taste of the fruits and vegetables, allowing users to perceive the degree of carbonation without tasting them; moreover, users can also know when the preparation is complete, which more intuitively reflects the process of preparing carbonated fruits and vegetables, making it more convenient and flexible to use.

[0078] refer to Figures 2 to 9 The control method of this invention is described in the embodiments below. This control method is applicable to the apparatus 100 for preparing carbonated food shown in the above embodiments. The specific structure of the apparatus can be found in the description of the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here. The control method is described below with specific examples.

[0079] See Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the control method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0080] Step S100: Obtain preset parameters, including preset consumption time;

[0081] Step S200: Determine the preparation time and the target concentration corresponding to the preparation time according to preset parameters;

[0082] In step S300, the valve is switched on and off according to the preparation time and target concentration to adjust the carbon dioxide concentration in the container to reach the target concentration.

[0083] Combination Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, taking the apparatus 100 for preparing carbonated foods installed inside a refrigerator as an example, when a user wants to prepare carbonated fruits and vegetables, they place the fruits and vegetables in container 110. They can input a preset consumption time via a mobile phone, tablet, or other terminal, or operate the refrigerator itself. Based on the preset consumption time, the preparation time is determined, and then the required carbon dioxide concentration is determined, i.e., the target carbon dioxide concentration in container 110 is determined, so that the user can consume the carbonated fruits and vegetables when the preset consumption time is reached. A control signal is sent to the valve based on the preparation time and target concentration to control the valve opening and closing, thereby adjusting the carbon dioxide concentration in container 110 to reach the target concentration. It should be noted that the above operations can be performed by a controller, which can be installed in the refrigerator or on the apparatus 100 for preparing carbonated foods; no further limitations are specified.

[0084] Specifically, in this embodiment, a preset relationship table between preparation time and target concentration is established. After determining the preparation time, the required carbon dioxide concentration can be obtained by querying the preset relationship table. At the start of preparation, the valve is opened, and a gas sensor monitors the carbon dioxide concentration in container 110 in real time. When the carbon dioxide concentration in container 110 has not reached the target concentration, the valve remains open, and the carbon dioxide generator 120 fills the container 110 with gas, continuously increasing the carbon dioxide concentration. When the carbon dioxide concentration in container 110 reaches the target concentration, the valve is closed, stopping the filling of the container 110. This allows for accurate adjustment of the carbon dioxide concentration in container 110, meeting the requirements for timed preparation of carbonated fruits and vegetables. The preparation process does not require manual concentration adjustment, is simple to operate, highly feasible, and efficient. It is suitable for preparing carbonated fruits, carbonated vegetables, and other carbonated produce, which, after carbonation, have a superior taste.

[0085] See Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the control method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0086] Step S110: Obtain the preset consumption time and food type;

[0087] Step S210: Determine the preparation time and the target concentration corresponding to the preparation time based on the preset consumption time and food type;

[0088] Step S310: Control the valve opening and closing according to the preparation time and target concentration to adjust the carbon dioxide concentration in the container to reach the target concentration.

[0089] It is understandable that, under the same carbon dioxide concentration, different types of fruits and vegetables absorb different amounts of carbon dioxide gas due to their varying water content, resulting in different tastes. The preset parameters in this embodiment also include the type of fruit and vegetables. Determining the preparation time and target concentration based on the preset consumption time and the type of fruit and vegetables facilitates accurate acquisition of the preparation time and target concentration, thereby improving control precision. In this embodiment, an identification module is used to identify the type of food within container 110. The specific working process of the identification module is described in the embodiment of the above-mentioned device and will not be repeated here.

[0090] The embodiment categorizes fruits and vegetables into citrus, melons, and berries. A preset relationship table between preparation time and target concentration is established for each category. Different types of fruits and vegetables have different preset relationship tables. The type of fruit or vegetable is determined based on the identification structure of the identification module. Then, the preparation time is determined according to the preset consumption time and the corresponding preset relationship table. Finally, the target concentration can be further determined based on the preparation time. The valve is opened and closed according to the target concentration to accurately regulate the carbon dioxide concentration in container 110, meeting the requirements for timed preparation of carbonated fruits and vegetables.

[0091] See Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the control method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0092] Step S120: Obtain the preset consumption time, food type, and preset carbonation level;

[0093] Step S220: Determine the preparation time and the target concentration corresponding to the preparation time based on the preset consumption time, food type, and preset degree of carbonation;

[0094] Step S320: Control the valve opening and closing according to the preparation time and target concentration to adjust the carbon dioxide concentration in the container to reach the target concentration.

[0095] Understandably, users can customize the intensity of the carbonic acid taste of carbonated foods according to their consumption needs. The higher the carbon dioxide content absorbed by fruits and vegetables, the stronger the carbonic taste. The intensity of the taste is represented by a preset carbonation level, specifically using three levels: weak, medium, and strong. A weak preset carbonation level indicates a weak carbonic taste, a strong preset carbonation level indicates a strong carbonic taste, and a medium preset carbonation level indicates a carbonic taste between weak and strong.

[0096] In other words, the preparation time can be determined by combining the preset consumption time, the type of fruit and vegetable, and the preset degree of carbonation according to the user's needs. The target concentration can then be determined based on the preparation time, making the obtained target concentration closer to the concentration required to meet the consumption requirements, thus realizing customized preparation of carbonated fruits and vegetables.

[0097] Reference Figure 5 As shown, in some embodiments, step S220 specifically includes the following steps:

[0098] Step S221: Obtain a preset relationship table between the target concentration and preparation time, food type, and carbonation degree requirement level;

[0099] Step S222: Determine the corresponding carbonation degree requirement level based on the preset carbonation degree.

[0100] Step S223: Determine the preparation time based on the preset consumption time;

[0101] Step S224: Query the preset relationship table to obtain the target concentration corresponding to the food type, carbonation level requirement, and preparation time.

[0102] Reference Figure 6 As shown, Figure 6 The table shows a preset relationship between target concentration, preparation time, food type, and required carbonation level. In this table, each food category corresponds to a different level of carbonation requirement, and each level of carbonation requirement corresponds to multiple different preparation times. Different preparation times correspond to different target concentrations. By obtaining the user's desired carbonation level, the corresponding carbonation level requirement is determined, and the preparation time is determined based on the preset consumption time. Then, by querying the preset relationship table, the target concentration corresponding to the food type, required carbonation level, and preparation time is found, thus obtaining the desired target concentration.

[0103] Understandably, the embodiments categorize fruits and vegetables into three main types: citrus, melons, and berries. Each type has corresponding taste requirements, which are divided into three levels: weak, medium, and strong, representing the preset degree of carbonation. Each level includes multiple preparation times, with different carbon dioxide concentrations corresponding to different preparation times. The carbon dioxide concentration is divided into six concentration ranges: 40%-50%, 50%-60%, 60%-70%, 70%-80%, 80%-90%, and 90%-100%. The preparation time for each concentration range is a time period. It should be noted that, considering that carbon dioxide gas will gradually escape during storage, leading to a gradual loss of carbonation flavor, the " / " in the table indicates that the storage time is too long, resulting in a weak carbonation flavor that cannot reflect the intensity of the edible taste.

[0104] See Figure 7 As shown, in some embodiments, the control method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0105] Step S230: Determine the preparation time and the target concentration corresponding to the preparation time based on the preset consumption time, food type and preset degree of carbonation;

[0106] Step S321: Determine the valve opening time based on the preparation time and the preset consumption time;

[0107] Step S322: After the valve is opened, when the carbon dioxide concentration in the container reaches the target concentration, the valve is closed.

[0108] Understandably, after determining the preparation time and target concentration in step S120, the valve opening time is determined using the preparation time and preset consumption time. After the valve opens, carbon dioxide gas is introduced into container 110. When the carbon dioxide concentration in container 110 reaches the target concentration, the valve is closed. For the specific implementation process of step S120, please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 4 The description of the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here. Since the process of filling container 110 with carbon dioxide requires a certain amount of time, after determining the preparation time, it is necessary to ensure that the sum of the preparation time and the filling time is less than or equal to the preset consumption time.

[0109] To illustrate with specific examples, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the user needs to make carbonated citrus fruits, with a preset consumption time of 6 hours and a preset carbonation level of medium. According to... Figure 6 The table shows that the preparation time is 4-6 hours, meaning that the preparation time is at least 4 hours and the target concentration is greater than 80%. If the gas filling time is about 0.2 hours, then at least 4.2 hours need to be reserved, meaning that the control valve should be opened for gas filling before the reserved time. When the carbon dioxide concentration in container 110 reaches the target concentration, the valve can be closed to stop gas filling.

[0110] See Figure 8 As shown, in some embodiments, the control method further includes the following steps:

[0111] Step S400: When the valve is closed, start timing;

[0112] Step S500: Compare the timing time and preparation time to determine the current degree of carbonation of the food in the container;

[0113] In step S600, the control display module displays the identification information corresponding to the current degree of carbonation.

[0114] Understandably, when the valve is closed, it indicates that the carbon dioxide concentration in container 110 has reached the target concentration, at which point the preparation stage begins. As time progresses, the degree of carbonation in the fruits and vegetables will continuously change. The display module 140 can display information corresponding to different degrees of carbonation. Using the valve closure as the starting point for timing, the timing time is compared with the preparation time; the closer the timing time is to the preparation time, the stronger the carbonation of the fruits and vegetables. The display module 140 can be a display screen, which can use different colored lights to show different degrees of carbonation. It should be noted that the display screen is not limited to light displays; it can also display the degree of carbonation in the form of text, images, etc., without specific limitations. Of course, the displayed content is not limited to the current degree of carbonation; it can also include information such as the preparation completion time and the current carbon dioxide concentration.

[0115] For example, the lights corresponding to weak, medium, and strong flavors of fruits and vegetables are green, yellow, and red, respectively; similarly, the text can display information indicating weak, medium, and strong flavors. Furthermore, if multiple fruits and vegetables are stored and their carbonation levels are determined to be inconsistent, the carbonation level corresponding to each type of fruit or vegetable is displayed separately. For example, container 110 contains melons, berries, and citrus fruits, and has been treated with carbon dioxide at a target concentration greater than 90% for 50 hours. Figure 6 The table can determine that the carbonation of citrus and berries has disappeared, while melons and fruits have a slight carbonation. The display screen will then show citrus / berries - no carbonation, and melons and fruits - slight carbonation.

[0116] In some embodiments, the control method further includes the following steps:

[0117] In step S700, when the timing time is greater than or equal to the preparation time, the control display module displays a prompt message to remind the user to consume the food.

[0118] Understandably, when the timing is greater than or equal to the preparation time, it indicates that the carbonated fruits and vegetables are ready. At this point, the preset consumption time has been reached, and the taste of the carbonated fruits and vegetables has reached the preset degree of carbonation. The display module 140 can prompt the user to consume them, for example, through flashing lights or text messages, improving ease of use. Users can see the current degree of carbonation of the fruits and vegetables based on the displayed content, achieving a visual display of the real-time taste of the fruits and vegetables, allowing users to perceive the degree of carbonation without tasting them; moreover, users can also know when the preparation is complete, providing a more intuitive reflection of the preparation process of carbonated fruits and vegetables, making it more convenient and flexible to use.

[0119] Reference Figure 9 As shown, Figure 9The flowchart shown is a specific example. Based on the preset consumption time and preparation time T, the valve opening time is determined, and carbon dioxide gas is injected into container 110. While injecting gas into container 110, a gas sensor continuously monitors the carbon dioxide concentration inside container 110. When the detected concentration c reaches the target concentration c0, the injection stops, and a timer t is started simultaneously. The taste of the carbonated fruits and vegetables at this time is determined based on t and displayed through the display module 140. When t ≥ T, it indicates that the fruits and vegetables have reached the user's desired taste, and the display module 140 prompts the user to consume them. If the user has not consumed them, the taste of the fruits and vegetables is determined based on time t and displayed through the display module 140 to remind the user of the change in taste.

[0120] Reference Figure 6 As shown, it should be noted that after the user selects their desired flavor profile and the type of fruit or vegetable, the carbon dioxide concentration is determined based on the time remaining before the preset consumption time. For example, if a user selects medium-flavored citrus fruits or vegetables and there are 5 hours until consumption, the required carbon dioxide concentration can be between 90% and 80%. From an environmental perspective, a concentration greater than 80% is preferred. Similarly, if a user selects strongly flavored melons or vegetables and there are 48 hours until consumption, and the preset table does not include any strongly flavored melons or vegetables with a 48-hour preparation time, then the minimum carbon dioxide concentration is determined to require 15-18 hours to prepare the strongly flavored melons or vegetables. The aeration process will then begin after 48-15=33 hours. Furthermore, when multiple types of fruits or vegetables are selected, the highest carbon dioxide concentration is chosen to meet the user's needs. This allows users to customize the preparation of carbonated fruits and vegetables according to their consumption time and taste preferences, and can visually display the carbonated state of the fruits and vegetables, allowing users to easily perceive the degree of carbonation without tasting them, thus improving the user experience.

[0121] Embodiments of the present invention also provide a control device, which includes: a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor. The processor and the memory can be connected via a bus or other means.

[0122] Memory, as a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, can be used to store non-transitory software programs and non-transitory computer-executable programs. Furthermore, memory may include high-speed random access memory, and may also include non-transitory memory, such as at least one disk storage device, flash memory device, or other non-transitory solid-state storage device. In some embodiments, memory may optionally include memory remotely located relative to the processor, and these remote memories can be connected to the processor via a network. Examples of such networks include, but are not limited to, the Internet, intranets, local area networks, mobile communication networks, and combinations thereof.

[0123] The non-transient software program and instructions required to implement the control method of the above embodiments are stored in memory. When executed by a processor, the control method described above is executed, for example, the control method described above is executed. Figure 2 Method steps S100 to S300 Figure 3 Method steps S110 to S310, Figure 4 Method steps S120 to S320, Figure 5 Method steps S221 to S224, Figure 7 Method steps S230 to S322, Figure 8 The method steps S400 to S600, etc.

[0124] The device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the modules can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0125] Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention also provide a refrigeration device, which may be a refrigerator, freezer, etc., including the apparatus 100 or control device for preparing carbonated food as described in the above embodiments. Since the refrigeration device employs all the technical solutions of the apparatus 100 or control device for preparing carbonated food described in the above embodiments, it possesses at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments.

[0126] Furthermore, one embodiment of the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions that are executed by a processor or controller, for example, by a processor in the above-described refrigeration device embodiment, causing the processor to perform the control method of the refrigeration device in the above-described embodiment, for example, performing the above-described... Figure 2 Method steps S100 to S300 Figure 3 Method steps S110 to S310, Figure 4 Method steps S120 to S320, Figure 5 Method steps S221 to S224, Figure 7 Method steps S230 to S322, Figure 8 The method steps S400 to S600, etc.

[0127] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or some of the steps and systems in the methods disclosed above can be implemented as software, firmware, hardware, and suitable combinations thereof. Some or all of the physical components can be implemented as software executed by a processor, such as a central processing unit, digital signal processor, or microprocessor, or as hardware, or as an integrated circuit, such as an application-specific integrated circuit. Such software can be distributed on a computer-readable medium, which can include computer storage media (or non-transitory media) and communication media (or transient media). As is known to those skilled in the art, the term computer storage media includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storing information (such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data). Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technologies, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD) or other optical disc storage, magnetic cartridges, magnetic tape, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired information and is accessible to a computer. Furthermore, as is known to those skilled in the art, communication media typically contain computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in modulated data signals such as carrier waves or other transmission mechanisms, and may include any information delivery medium.

[0128] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for preparing carbonated food, characterized in that, include: Containers used for holding food; A carbon dioxide generator for supplying carbon dioxide, wherein the carbon dioxide generator is connected to the container via a pipeline equipped with a valve; A controller, connected to the valve, is used to obtain a preset consumption time; The device further includes an identification module for identifying food types, the identification module being connected to the controller; the controller is also used to obtain a preset carbonation degree for the food, determine the preparation time and the target concentration corresponding to the preparation time based on the preset consumption time, the food type and the preset carbonation degree, and control the valve opening and closing based on the preparation time and the target concentration to adjust the carbon dioxide concentration in the container to reach the target concentration.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device also includes a display module connected to the controller. The controller is further used to control the valve to start timing after it is closed, compare the timing time with the preparation time to determine the current degree of carbonation of the food in the container, and control the display module to display the information corresponding to the current degree of carbonation of the food.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The container is equipped with a gas sensor for detecting carbon dioxide concentration. The gas sensor is connected to the controller, which is also used to close the valve when the carbon dioxide concentration in the container reaches the target concentration.

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The container is provided with an exhaust port for discharging air from the container when the carbon dioxide generator supplies carbon dioxide to the container.

5. A control method for an apparatus for preparing carbonated food, characterized in that, The device includes a container for holding food and a carbon dioxide generator for supplying carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide generator is connected to the container via a pipeline equipped with a valve. The device also includes an identification module for identifying the type of food. The control method includes: Obtain preset parameters, including preset consumption time, food type, and preset degree of carbonation of the food; The preparation time and the target concentration corresponding to the preparation time are determined based on the preset consumption time, the type of food, and the preset degree of carbonation. The valve is switched on and off according to the preparation time and the target concentration to adjust the carbon dioxide concentration in the container to reach the target concentration.

6. The control method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The step of determining the preparation time and the target concentration corresponding to the preparation time based on the preset consumption time, the food type, and the preset degree of carbonation includes: Obtain a preset relationship table between the target concentration and preparation time, food type, and required level of carbonation; The corresponding carbonation level requirement is determined based on the preset carbonation level. The preparation time is determined according to the preset consumption time; The target concentration corresponding to the food type, the required level of carbonation, and the preparation time is obtained by querying the preset relationship table.

7. The control method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The container is equipped with a gas sensor for detecting carbon dioxide concentration. Controlling the valve opening and closing based on the preparation time and the target concentration includes: The valve opening time is determined based on the preparation time and the preset consumption time; When the carbon dioxide concentration in the container reaches the target concentration after the valve is opened, the valve is controlled to close.

8. The control method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The device further includes a display module, and the control method further includes: When the valve is closed by the control, the timer begins; The current degree of carbonation of the food in the container is determined by comparing the timing time with the preparation time. The display module is controlled to display information corresponding to the current degree of carbonation.

9. The control method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The control method further includes: When the timing time is greater than or equal to the preparation time, the display module is controlled to display a prompt message to remind the user to consume the food.

10. A control device, characterized in that, It includes a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the processor, when executing the computer program, implements the control method as described in any one of claims 5 to 9.

11. A refrigeration device, characterized in that, Includes the apparatus for preparing carbonated food as described in any one of claims 1 to 4 or the control device as described in claim 10.

12. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, characterized in that, The computer-executable instructions are used to perform the control method as described in any one of claims 5 to 9.

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