Fresh-keeping device, control method thereof and refrigerator

By adjusting the oxygen concentration and temperature in the fresh-keeping chamber, it is divided into the first fresh-keeping mode and the second fresh-keeping mode, the problem of respiratory leaping fruits not being able to mature normally and age quickly when stored is solved, and the fresh-keeping quality and fresh-keeping duration of the fruits are significantly improved.

CN120130540APending Publication Date: 2025-06-13QINDAO HAIER REFRIGERATOR CO LTD +2
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202311713943.4
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-12-13
Publication Date
2025-06-13

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The existing fruit preservation technology cannot effectively solve the problems of respiratory leaping fruits that cannot mature normally when stored, have poor taste in consumption, and have rapid aging after ripening, and have short shelf life.

Method used

A method for controlling a fresh-keeping device is provided, by adjusting the oxygen concentration and temperature in the fresh-keeping chamber, and is divided into a first fresh-keeping mode and a second fresh-keeping mode. The first fresh-keeping mode adjusts the oxygen concentration to a range of 15% to 20% during the post-ripening stage of the fruit, and adjusts the temperature to 8°C to 10°C to promote the post-ripening of the fruit. The second fresh-keeping mode adjusts the oxygen concentration to a range of 3% to 10% during the aging stage of fruits and adjusts the temperature to 0℃ to 2℃ to inhibit the aging of fruits.

Benefits of technology

By reasonably adjusting the oxygen concentration and temperature, the preservation quality of fruits can be significantly improved, the preservation time will be extended, and the catalysis and metabolism of nutrients in fruits can be slowed down.

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Abstract

The invention provides a fresh-keeping device, a control method thereof and a refrigerator. Wherein the fresh-keeping device defines a fresh-keeping chamber for storing fruits, the fruits have an after-ripening stage and an aging stage, the fresh-keeping device has a first fresh-keeping mode corresponding to the after-ripening stage and a second fresh-keeping mode corresponding to the aging stage, and the control method comprises the following steps: operating the first fresh-keeping mode, the oxygen concentration of the fresh-keeping chamber is adjusted to be within a preset first target concentration range; after a preset switching condition is met, a second fresh-keeping mode is operated, and the oxygen concentration of the fresh-keeping chamber is adjusted to be within a preset second target concentration range; wherein the second target concentration range is smaller than the first target concentration range. The fruit preservative has the advantages that after-ripening of fruits can be promoted, aging of the fruits can be inhibited, and the fresh-keeping quality of the fruits can be improved.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of fruit preservation, and particularly to a preservation device, a control method thereof, and a refrigerator. Background Art

[0002] Fruits are generally divided into climacteric fruits and non-climacteric fruits. Climacteric fruits have the property of after-ripening and can complete ripening by themselves after being picked. The so-called respiratory climacteric refers to that the respiratory intensity of fruits gradually decreases during storage, significantly increases when reaching full ripeness, and then gradually decreases until senescence, that is, there are after-ripening stage and senescence stage before and after full ripeness.

[0003] Climacteric fruits must experience the peak respiratory period to make the pulp soft and the sugar content increase, so as to reach the best ripening state and the best edible quality. After that, they will enter the senescence stage, the quality begins to decline, and the nutrient components transition from anabolic metabolism to catabolic metabolism. Typical climacteric fruits include: apples, pears, plums, apricots, figs, persimmons, tomatoes, mangoes, guavas, rambutans, blueberries, avocados, etc.

[0004] The existing preservation technologies mostly use means of temperature and humidity regulation for fruit preservation, and do not precisely preserve fruits for the above problems of climacteric fruits, resulting in problems such as the inability to ripen normally in the early stage, poor edible taste, rapid senescence after ripening, short preservation period, and inability to store well when storing fruits. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One object of the present invention is to ensure the normal ripening of fruits, inhibit the senescence of fruits, thereby improving the preservation quality of fruits and extending the preservation duration.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to further inhibit the catabolic metabolism of nutrients in fruits.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to ensure the smooth progress of the preservation work.

[0008] In particular, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for a preservation device. The preservation device defines a preservation compartment for storing fruits. The fruits have an after-ripening stage and a senescence stage. The preservation device has a first preservation mode corresponding to the after-ripening stage and a second preservation mode corresponding to the senescence stage. The control method includes:

[0009] Operating the first preservation mode to adjust the oxygen concentration in the preservation compartment to a preset first target concentration range;

[0010] After meeting the preset switching condition, operating the second preservation mode to adjust the oxygen concentration in the preservation compartment to a preset second target concentration range;

[0011] Among them, the second target concentration range is smaller than the first target concentration range.

[0012] Optionally, the preset switching condition includes: the ethylene generation rate in the fresh-keeping chamber starts to increase.

[0013] Optionally, during the operation of the first fresh-keeping mode, it further includes adjusting the internal temperature of the fresh-keeping chamber to a preset first target temperature range; and

[0014] During the operation of the second fresh-keeping mode, it further includes adjusting the internal temperature of the fresh-keeping chamber to a preset second target temperature range;

[0015] Among them, the second target temperature range is smaller than the first target temperature range.

[0016] Optionally, the first target temperature range is 8°C to 10°C; and

[0017] The second target temperature range is 0°C to 2°C.

[0018] Optionally, the fresh-keeping device further includes a controlled atmosphere module, and the step of adjusting the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping chamber to a preset first target concentration range includes:

[0019] Starting the controlled atmosphere module at a first power;

[0020] Obtaining the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping chamber;

[0021] Judging whether the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping chamber is within the first target concentration range;

[0022] If the judgment result is yes, closing the controlled atmosphere module.

[0023] Optionally, the step of adjusting the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping chamber to a preset second target concentration range includes:

[0024] Starting the controlled atmosphere module at a second power, and the second power is greater than the first power;

[0025] Obtaining the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping chamber;

[0026] Judging whether the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping chamber is within the second target concentration range;

[0027] If the judgment result is yes, closing the controlled atmosphere module.

[0028] Optionally, the control method further includes:

[0029] Detect the switch state of the fresh-keeping compartment;

[0030] Record the oxygen concentration when the fresh-keeping compartment is opened; and

[0031] After the fresh-keeping compartment is closed, restore the recorded oxygen concentration.

[0032] Optionally, the first target concentration range is 15% - 20%; and

[0033] The second target concentration range is 3% - 10%.

[0034] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a fresh-keeping device, including:

[0035] A fresh-keeping container, which defines a fresh-keeping compartment inside for storing fruits to be fresh-kept;

[0036] An air conditioning module, communicated with the fresh-keeping compartment, for adjusting the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment; and

[0037] A controller, which includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores a machine-executable program, and when the machine-executable program is executed by the processor, it is used to implement the control method described in any one of the above.

[0038] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a refrigerator, including the fresh-keeping device described above.

[0039] For the control method of the fresh-keeping device of the present invention, the fresh-keeping device has a first fresh-keeping mode and a second fresh-keeping mode. During the post-ripening stage of fruits, the first fresh-keeping mode can be run to adjust the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment within the first target concentration range, so as to promote the post-ripening of fruits. During the senescence stage of fruits, the second fresh-keeping mode can be run to adjust the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment within the second target concentration range, so that the oxygen concentration is reduced, thereby inhibiting the respiration of fruits and slowing down the senescence of fruits. In this way, the fresh-keeping quality of fruits can be significantly improved, and the fresh-keeping duration of fruits can be extended.

[0040] Furthermore, for the control method of the fresh-keeping device of the present invention, during the post-ripening stage of fruits, when the first fresh-keeping mode is run, the internal temperature of the fresh-keeping compartment can be adjusted within the first target temperature range, so as to ensure the anabolic metabolism of fruits and promote the post-ripening of fruits. During the senescence stage of fruits, when the second fresh-keeping mode is run, the internal temperature of the fresh-keeping compartment can be adjusted within the second target temperature range, so that the internal temperature is reduced, thereby inhibiting the respiration of fruits. In this way, the loss of nutrients in fruits can be slowed down, and the nutritional value of fruits can be maintained.

[0041] Further, for the control method of the freshness preservation device of the present invention, during the freshness preservation period of fruits, the opening and closing state of the freshness preservation compartment can be detected, the oxygen concentration when the freshness preservation compartment is opened can be recorded, and after the freshness preservation compartment is closed, the recorded oxygen concentration can be restored. This can prevent the disorder of the freshness preservation work, facilitate the normal operation of the freshness preservation device, and improve the reliability of use of the freshness preservation device.

[0042] Through 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. Description of the Drawings

[0043] 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 to be a limitation of the present invention. Moreover, throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to represent the same components. In the drawings:

[0044] Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 2 is a schematic principle diagram of a freshness preservation device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 3 is a schematic structural block diagram of a freshness preservation device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a control method of a freshness preservation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Reference Numerals:

[0049] 10, refrigerator; 100, cabinet; 101, refrigerating compartment; 102, freezing compartment; 20, freshness preservation device; 210, freshness preservation container; 211, drawer sleeve; 212, drawer body; 213, freshness preservation compartment; 220, gas conditioning module; 221, housing; 222, communication port; 223, cathode plate; 224, anode plate; 225, liquid storage cavity; 226, exhaust port; 300, controller; 310, processor; 320, memory; 321, machine-executable program; 410, oxygen concentration sensor; 420, ethylene concentration sensor. Detailed Embodiments

[0050] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each of the embodiments provided is intended to explain the present invention, not to limit the present invention. In fact, various modifications and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield yet another embodiment. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to cover such modifications and variations within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0051] Reference is made below to Figures 1 to 4 describe the freshness preservation device 20 and its control method and the refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Among them, the orientation or positional relationship indicated by "inside", "outside", "up", "down", "top", "bottom", "lateral", "longitudinal", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and 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 to the present invention. For the convenience of schematically showing the structure of the device, some of the drawings of the present invention are shown in a perspective form.

[0052] In the description of the present embodiment, it should be understood that the meaning of the term "a plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined. When a certain feature "includes or contains" a certain or certain features it covers, unless otherwise specifically described, this indicates that other features are not excluded and other features can be further included.

[0053] In the description of the present embodiment, the description with reference to terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "some examples", "one example", etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0054] Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, as Figure 1 shown, the refrigerator 10 generally may include a cabinet 100, and one or more storage compartments are formed inside the cabinet 100. The storage compartments can be configured as a refrigerating compartment 101, a freezing compartment 102, a freshness preservation compartment 213, etc. according to the refrigeration temperature. For the convenience of understanding, Figure 1Taking the upper region of the box body 100 as the refrigerated compartment 101, the lower region as the freezer compartment 102, and the middle region as the fresh-keeping compartment 213 as an example. Specifically, the number, functions, and layout of the storage compartments can be set specifically according to actual needs.

[0055] The refrigerator 10 may further include a fresh-keeping device 20. Figure 2 It is a schematic principle diagram of the fresh-keeping device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 2 shown, the fresh-keeping device 20 may include a fresh-keeping container 210 and an air-conditioning module 220.

[0056] Among them, the fresh-keeping container 210 can be installed in the box body 100 of the refrigerator 10 or placed in the storage compartment of the refrigerator 10. The fresh-keeping container 210 can be a drawer-type container, and the fresh-keeping compartment 213 can be formed inside the fresh-keeping container 210 for storing fruits to be fresh-kept.

[0057] For example, the fresh-keeping container 210 includes a drawer sleeve 211 and a drawer body 212. The drawer sleeve 211 is installed in the box body 100 of the refrigerator 10. The drawer sleeve 211 has a forward opening, and the drawer body 212 has a top opening. The drawer body 212 is slidably arranged inside the drawer sleeve 211, so as to jointly define the fresh-keeping compartment 213 with the drawer sleeve 211.

[0058] The air-conditioning module 220 can be arranged inside the fresh-keeping compartment 213 or communicated with the fresh-keeping compartment 213, and by consuming the oxygen in the fresh-keeping compartment 213, the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 can be adjusted.

[0059] For example, the air-conditioning module 220 is in air flow communication with the fresh-keeping compartment 213. Air flow communication means that the oxygen in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 can flow to the air-conditioning module 220, so that the air-conditioning module 220 can carry out an electrochemical reaction with the oxygen in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 as a reactant, thereby playing a role in deoxidation.

[0060] Of course, the type of electrochemical reaction of the air-conditioning module 220 can be set according to actual needs, as long as the electrochemical reaction can play a role in eliminating oxygen. For example, the electrochemical reaction can be an electrolysis of water reaction.

[0061] In an alternative embodiment, the air-conditioning module 220 may include a housing 221, a cathode plate 223, and an anode plate 224.

[0062] Among them, the housing 221 is formed with a communication port 222 communicating with the fresh-keeping compartment 213. The cathode plate 223 is disposed at the communication port 222, and together with the housing 221, it defines a liquid storage cavity 225 for containing electrolyte, and is used to consume oxygen in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 through an electrochemical reaction under the action of an electrolysis voltage. The cathode plate 223 has a waterproof and breathable function (such as a waterproof and breathable membrane). While closing the liquid storage cavity 225, it can ensure the air flow communication between the cathode plate 223 and the fresh-keeping compartment 213.

[0063] For example, oxygen in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 can undergo a reduction reaction at the cathode plate 223, that is: O2 + 2H2O + 4e- → 4OH-. The anode plate 224 is disposed in the liquid storage cavity 225 and is used to provide reactants to the cathode plate 223 through an electrochemical reaction. The anode plate 224 and the cathode plate 223 are arranged at intervals in the liquid storage cavity 225. And when energized, the anode plate 224 is used to provide reactants (such as electrons) to the cathode plate 223 through an electrochemical reaction and generate oxygen.

[0064] Again, for example, OH- generated by the cathode plate 223 can undergo an oxidation reaction at the anode plate 224 and generate oxygen, that is: 4OH- → O2 + 2H2O + 4e-. An exhaust port 226 can also be provided on the housing 221, and oxygen can be discharged through the exhaust port 226.

[0065] As mentioned above, the respiration intensity of climacteric fruits gradually decreases during storage, significantly increases when reaching full ripeness, and then gradually decreases until senescence. That is, climacteric fruits have a post-ripening stage before full ripeness and a senescence stage after full ripeness.

[0066] It can be understood that fruits generate ethylene during respiration, and the amount of ethylene generated is positively correlated with the respiration intensity of fruits. That is, the greater the respiration intensity, the more ethylene is generated. In view of the respiration characteristics of climacteric fruits, the present invention reasonably adjusts the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 through the air-conditioning module 220 at different stages, thereby adjusting the respiration intensity of fruits, and further realizing high-quality preservation of fruits.

[0067] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural block diagram of a fresh-keeping device 20 according to an optional embodiment of the present invention. The fresh-keeping device 20 of the embodiment of the present invention may further include a controller 300, an oxygen concentration sensor 410, and an ethylene concentration sensor 420.

[0068] Among them, the controller 300 may include a processor 310 and a memory 320. The memory 320 stores a machine-executable program 321, which is used to implement the control method of the freshness preservation device 20 in any of the following embodiments when executed by the processor 310. The controller 300 is signal-connected to the air conditioning module 220, and is used to provide a control signal to the air conditioning module 220, so as to start and stop the air conditioning module 220 and adjust parameters such as the power and duty cycle of the air conditioning module 220. The controller 300 can be integrated on the main control board of the refrigerator 10, or can be separately set adjacent to the air conditioning module 220. The controller 300 can further be connected to the main control device of the refrigerator 10, provide the operating state of the air conditioning module 220 to the main control device, and receive control instructions from the main control device.

[0069] The controller 300 can be implemented by various devices with certain data processing capabilities. In a typical configuration, the controller 300 may include a processor 310, a memory 320, an input / output interface, etc.

[0070] The control method of the freshness preservation device 20 in this embodiment uses the oxygen concentration and ethylene concentration in the freshness preservation compartment 213 as the control basis for the air conditioning module 220. The oxygen concentration sensor 410 and the ethylene concentration sensor 420 can be closely arranged in the freshness preservation compartment 213 to real-time monitor the oxygen concentration and ethylene concentration in the freshness preservation compartment 213, so as to provide a relatively accurate control basis for the operation of the air conditioning module 220.

[0071] The controller 300 can be a main control chip, and the processor 310 can be a central processing unit (CPU), or a digital signal processing unit (DSP), etc. The memory 320 is used to store the program executed by the processor 310. The memory 320 can be any medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. For example, the memory 320 can also be a combination of various memories 320.

[0072] The present invention provides a control method for a freshness preservation device 20, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a control method according to an embodiment of the present invention, as Figure 4 shown, the control method of the freshness preservation device 20 at least includes the following steps S402 to step S404.

[0073] Step S402, run the first freshness preservation mode, and adjust the oxygen concentration in the freshness preservation compartment 213 to a preset first target concentration range.

[0074] Step S404, after meeting the preset switching condition, run the second fresh-keeping mode to adjust the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 to within a preset second target concentration range, where the second target concentration range is less than the first target concentration range.

[0075] Using the above control method, during the post-ripening stage of the fruit, adjusting the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 to within the first target concentration range can promote the post-ripening of the fruit. During the senescence stage of the fruit, adjusting the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 to within the second target concentration range can reduce the oxygen concentration and inhibit the respiration of the fruit, thereby slowing down the senescence of the fruit, improving the fresh-keeping quality of the fruit, and extending the fresh-keeping duration of the fruit.

[0076] In an alternative embodiment, the first target concentration range can be 15% - 20%. Under this oxygen concentration range, the fruit can carry out normal respiration, increasing its own sugar content, aroma, and softening of the pulp through anabolic metabolism. The second target concentration range can be 3% - 10%. Under this oxygen concentration range, the respiration of the fruit is inhibited, and less nutrients are consumed through catabolic metabolism, which is beneficial to maintaining its own nutritional value.

[0077] For example, during the post-ripening stage of the fruit, use the air conditioning module 220 to adjust the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 to 18%; during the senescence stage of the fruit, use the air conditioning module 220 to adjust the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 to 8%.

[0078] In an alternative embodiment, when adjusting the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 to the first target concentration range or the second target concentration range, the air conditioning module 220 can be started first, and then the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 is obtained. After the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 is within the first target concentration range or the second target concentration range, the air conditioning module 220 is then turned off.

[0079] It can be understood that when the fruit is first placed in the fresh-keeping compartment 213, the air conditioning module 220 has not yet run. At this time, the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 is basically the same as the oxygen concentration in the outside air, about 21%. The oxygen content in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 under the first target concentration range (for example, when it is 18%) is relatively close to its initial oxygen content. Therefore, during the post-ripening stage of the fruit, the air conditioning module 220 can be started at the first power, and the first power is relatively small, which can reduce the working load of the air conditioning module 220 and extend its service life.

[0080] Furthermore, the oxygen content in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 at the second concentration range (e.g., when it is 8%) differs significantly from its oxygen content at the first target concentration range (e.g., when it is 18%). Therefore, to reduce the decomposition of nutrients in fruits, during the senescence stage of fruits, the air-conditioning module 220 can be started at the second power, and the second power is greater than the first power, so as to accelerate the deoxygenation speed, reduce the respiration intensity of fruits, and further reduce the metabolic decomposition of fruits.

[0081] In some alternative embodiments, when adjusting the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 to the first target concentration range or the second target concentration range, the air-conditioning module 220 can also be started first, and then the running duration of the air-conditioning module 220 is obtained. After the running duration of the air-conditioning module 220 reaches the corresponding preset duration, the air-conditioning module 220 is then turned off.

[0082] That is to say, the air-conditioning module 220 can be controlled to operate at a certain deoxygenation speed, and the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 is predicted by monitoring the running duration of the air-conditioning module 220, so as to maintain the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 within the first target concentration range or the second target concentration range.

[0083] In one example, when adjusting the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 to the first target concentration range, the air-conditioning module 220 can be started at the first power, and then the running duration of the air-conditioning module 220 is obtained. After the running duration of the air-conditioning module 220 reaches the preset first duration, the air-conditioning module 220 is then turned off.

[0084] Similarly, when adjusting the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 to the second target concentration range, the air-conditioning module 220 can be started at the second power, and then the running duration of the air-conditioning module 220 is obtained. After the running duration of the air-conditioning module 220 reaches the preset second duration, the air-conditioning module 220 is then turned off.

[0085] In one alternative embodiment, during the operation of the first fresh-keeping mode, the internal temperature of the fresh-keeping compartment 213 can be adjusted to within a preset first target temperature range. During the operation of the second fresh-keeping mode, the internal temperature of the fresh-keeping compartment 213 can be adjusted to within a preset second target temperature range, and the second target temperature range is less than the first target temperature range.

[0086] That is to say, during the post-ripening stage of fruits, by adjusting the internal temperature of the fresh-keeping compartment 213 to the first target temperature, a suitable temperature environment can be provided for the anabolic metabolism of fruits, which is beneficial to accelerating the ripening of fruits. During the senescence stage of fruits, by adjusting the internal temperature of the fresh-keeping compartment 213 to the second target temperature, the respiration of fruits can be inhibited, the catabolic metabolism of fruits can be reduced, and it is beneficial to delaying the senescence of fruits.

[0087] In an alternative embodiment, the first target temperature range can be 8°C to 10°C. At this temperature range, the vital activities of the fruits are relatively vigorous and the metabolic rate is relatively fast. The second target temperature can be 0°C to 2°C. At this temperature range, the fruits are close to the dormant state and the metabolism is slow.

[0088] In an alternative embodiment, the preset switching condition may include that the generation rate of carbon dioxide in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 starts to increase.

[0089] For climacteric fruits, the respiration intensity during storage first gradually decreases, significantly increases when reaching full ripeness, and then gradually decreases until senescence. Therefore, during the fruit fresh-keeping period, if it is found that the generation rate of carbon dioxide starts to increase, it can indicate that the fruits have entered the senescence stage from the post-ripening stage at this time. At this time, the air-conditioning module 220 can be controlled to switch to the second fresh-keeping mode to adjust the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 to the preset second concentration range.

[0090] In another alternative embodiment, the preset switching condition may include that the ethylene generation rate in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 starts to increase.

[0091] Since the rate of ethylene release by fruits is positively correlated with their respiration intensity, during the fruit fresh-keeping period, if it is found that the ethylene generation rate starts to increase, it can indicate that the fruits have entered the senescence stage from the post-ripening stage at this time. At this time, the air-conditioning module 220 can be controlled to switch to the second fresh-keeping mode to adjust the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 to the preset second concentration range.

[0092] In an alternative embodiment, during the fruit fresh-keeping period, the switch state of the fresh-keeping compartment 213 can also be detected, then the oxygen concentration when the fresh-keeping compartment 213 is opened is recorded, and after the fresh-keeping compartment 213 is closed, the recorded oxygen concentration is restored.

[0093] When the fruits are in the post-ripening stage, when the fresh-keeping compartment 213 is opened, it will communicate with the outside air, resulting in the oxygen content inside being close to the oxygen content in the outside air. The increase in the oxygen content will to a certain extent affect the respiration intensity of the fruits, causing the respiration intensity of the fruits to increase. To avoid misinterpreting this as the fruits entering the senescence stage, the air-conditioning module 220 should be used to restore the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment 213. After the fruits' respiration becomes stable, the ethylene generation rate can be used for judgment to avoid chaos in the fresh-keeping work and enable the fresh-keeping work to proceed normally.

[0094] For example, the fresh-keeping container 210 includes a drawer sleeve 211 and a drawer body 212. A proximity switch is provided between the drawer sleeve 211 and the drawer body 212. When the drawer body 212 is pulled outwards, the proximity switch is triggered, and the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 is immediately recorded, so that when the drawer body 212 is pushed back, the gas conditioning module 220 is used to restore the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment 213.

[0095] The fresh-keeping compartment 213 of the present invention can be supplied with cooling capacity by the refrigeration system of the refrigerator 10, so as to adjust the internal temperature of the fresh-keeping compartment 213. In the senescence stage of fruits, problems such as shriveling and rotting are more likely to occur in fruits. Therefore, in the senescence stage of fruits, the humidity of the fresh-keeping compartment 213 can also be increased by a refrigerating air flow, and a sterilizing substance can be blown into the fresh-keeping compartment 213, etc., so as to maintain the freshness of fruits as much as possible.

[0096] For the control method of the fresh-keeping device 20 of the present invention, in view of the respiration characteristics of climacteric fruits, the first fresh-keeping mode and the second fresh-keeping mode of the fresh-keeping device 20 are reasonably set. In the post-ripening stage of fruits, by operating the first fresh-keeping mode, the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 is adjusted to a preset first target concentration range, and the internal temperature of the fresh-keeping compartment 213 is adjusted to a preset first target temperature range, so as to promote the post-ripening of fruits. In the senescence stage of fruits, by operating the second fresh-keeping mode, the oxygen concentration in the fresh-keeping compartment 213 is adjusted to a preset second target concentration range, and the internal temperature of the fresh-keeping compartment 213 is adjusted to a preset second target temperature range, so as to inhibit the senescence of fruits. Through actual verification, by adopting the control method of the fresh-keeping device 20 of the present invention, the fresh-keeping quality and fresh-keeping duration of climacteric fruits such as apples, pears, plums, apricots, figs, persimmons, tomatoes, mangoes, guavas, rambutans, blueberries, and avocados can be significantly improved.

[0097] At this point, those skilled in the art should recognize that although multiple 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 content disclosed in 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 determined to cover all these other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. A control method for a freshness preservation device, the freshness preservation device defining a freshness preservation compartment for storing fruits, the fruits having a post-ripening stage and an aging stage, the freshness preservation device having a first freshness preservation mode corresponding to the post-ripening stage and a second freshness preservation mode corresponding to the aging stage, the control method comprises: Operating the first freshness preservation mode to adjust the oxygen concentration in the freshness preservation compartment to a preset first target concentration range; After meeting a preset switching condition, operating the second freshness preservation mode to adjust the oxygen concentration in the freshness preservation compartment to a preset second target concentration range; wherein, the second target concentration range is smaller than the first target concentration range.

2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the preset switching condition comprises: The ethylene production rate in the freshness preservation compartment begins to increase.

3. The control method according to claim 1, wherein During the operation of the first freshness preservation mode, it further includes adjusting the internal temperature of the freshness preservation compartment to a preset first target temperature range; and During the operation of the second freshness preservation mode, it further includes adjusting the internal temperature of the freshness preservation compartment to a preset second target temperature range; wherein, the second target temperature range is smaller than the first target temperature range.

4. The control method according to claim 3, wherein The first target temperature range is 8°C to 10°C; and The second target temperature range is 0°C to 2°C.

5. The control method according to claim 1, wherein, The freshness preservation device further includes an air conditioning module, the air conditioning module is communicated with the freshness preservation compartment, and the step of adjusting the oxygen concentration in the freshness preservation compartment to a preset first target concentration range includes: Starting the air conditioning module at a first power; Obtaining the oxygen concentration in the freshness preservation compartment; Judging whether the oxygen concentration in the freshness preservation compartment is within the first target concentration range; If the judgment result is yes, closing the air conditioning module.

6. The control method according to claim 5, wherein, The step of adjusting the oxygen concentration in the freshness preservation compartment to a preset second target concentration range includes: Starting the air conditioning module at a second power, the second power being greater than the first power; Obtaining the oxygen concentration in the freshness preservation compartment; Judging whether the oxygen concentration in the freshness preservation compartment is within the second target concentration range; If the judgment result is yes, closing the air conditioning module.

7. The control method according to claim 1, further comprises: Detecting the on-off state of the freshness preservation compartment; Recording the oxygen concentration when the freshness preservation compartment is opened; and After the freshness preservation compartment is closed, restoring the recorded oxygen concentration.

8. The control method according to claim 1, wherein The first target concentration range is 15% to 20%; and The second target concentration range is 3% to 10%.

9. A freshness preservation device, comprises: A freshness preservation container, which defines a freshness preservation compartment therein for storing fruits to be preserved; An air conditioning module, which is communicated with the freshness preservation compartment and is used for adjusting the oxygen concentration in the freshness preservation compartment; and A controller, comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing a machine-executable program, which when executed by the processor is used to implement the control method according to any one of claims 1-8.

10. A refrigerator, comprising the freshness preservation device according to claim 9.