Fresh-keeping system for refrigeration equipment
By combining internal and external preservation devices with temperature-varying adsorption technology, the problems of complexity and high cost of existing oxygen removal preservation technology in refrigeration equipment have been solved, achieving a low-energy-consumption and cost-saving preservation effect and extending the preservation time of food.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-01
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-07
AI Technical Summary
Existing oxygen-removing preservation technologies in refrigeration equipment suffer from complex hardware and/or high costs, making it difficult to effectively extend the shelf life of food.
The system employs a temperature-variable adsorption technology that combines internal and external preservation devices. By using oxygen adsorption and nitrogen desorption devices to adsorb and desorb oxygen and nitrogen under different temperature conditions, the oxygen content inside the refrigeration equipment is reduced, thereby achieving a preservation effect.
It achieves low energy consumption, cost savings, and easy integration of food preservation, which can significantly extend the shelf life of food, reduce food spoilage, and improve economic efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure CN224084584U_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application relates to a preservation system, in particular a preservation system applicable to a refrigeration device. BACKGROUND
[0002] With the continuous improvement of people's quality of life, the application of refrigeration devices (such as refrigerators) for generating and maintaining a low temperature environment is increasingly popular. By using a refrigeration device, food and other products can be kept in a relatively reasonable low temperature environment, and their nutritional value and other qualities can be maintained for a longer period of time.
[0003] However, in order to further improve the quality of life, it is desirable to further extend the preservation time of food stored by the refrigeration device, especially for fresh fruits, vegetables, etc., so as to reduce the waste caused by food spoilage and improve economic efficiency.
[0004] It is known that oxygen promotes the respiration of cells and thus causes accelerated spoilage of food. Accordingly, it can be known that removing oxygen from the refrigeration device can improve the preservation effect.
[0005] Accordingly, in the prior art, several oxygen-removing preservation technologies have been developed. For example, vacuum extraction technology: this way removes oxygen in the air by removing all air. For example, pressure swing adsorption technology: by changing the pressure, oxygen is separated from nitrogen, thereby removing oxygen. For example, electrochemical oxygen removal, by the principle of electrochemical electrolysis and electrodeposition, oxygen is reduced to water, thereby removing oxygen.
[0006] However, the above-mentioned various ways still have defects such as complex hardware equipment and / or high cost. Therefore, at least, it is desirable to provide a new preservation system to overcome or at least alleviate the above-mentioned problems. INNOVATION CONTENT
[0007] The present application aims to provide a preservation system for a refrigeration device, which is advantageous in at least one aspect over the prior art.
[0008] To this end, the present application provides a preservation system for a refrigeration device, characterized in that it comprises: an internal preservation device located inside the refrigeration device; and an external preservation device located outside the refrigeration device, the external preservation device being configured to be in fluid communication with the internal preservation device, so that the external preservation device can perform an operation of reducing the oxygen content of the gas contained in the internal preservation device by a temperature swing adsorption method.
[0009] In one feasible exemplary embodiment, the external preservation device is configured as an oxygen adsorption device, the oxygen adsorption device including a temperature-varying oxygen adsorbent configured to adsorb oxygen at a first temperature condition and to desorb oxygen at a second temperature condition, wherein the first temperature is lower than the second temperature.
[0010] In one feasible exemplary embodiment, the preservation system is configured such that raw air contained in the internal preservation device can be transferred to an oxygen adsorption device via a first fluid passage, in which oxygen in the raw air is adsorbed, thereby reducing the oxygen content in the remaining air.
[0011] In one feasible exemplary embodiment, the preservation system is configured such that the remaining air can be returned to the internal preservation device via a second fluid passage, thereby reducing the oxygen content in the internal preservation device.
[0012] In one feasible exemplary embodiment, the preservation system is configured to introduce air meeting a second temperature condition into the oxygen adsorption device via a third fluid passage, thereby desorbing the oxygen adsorbed in the oxygen adsorption device.
[0013] In one feasible exemplary embodiment, the preservation system is configured such that a gas satisfying a second temperature condition carries the desorbed oxygen out of the oxygen adsorption device through a fourth fluid passage, enabling the oxygen adsorption device to re-adsorb oxygen from the internal preservation device.
[0014] In one feasible exemplary embodiment, the preservation system for the refrigeration equipment further includes a one-way pressure relief valve disposed on the internal preservation device and configured to open when the pressure inside the internal preservation device is lower than a predetermined pressure threshold, thereby providing gas communication between the inside and outside of the internal preservation device.
[0015] In one feasible exemplary embodiment, the preservation system is configured such that two or more oxygen adsorption devices are in fluid communication with the same internal preservation device.
[0016] In one feasible exemplary embodiment, the external preservation device is configured as a nitrogen desorption device, which includes a temperature-variable nitrogen adsorbent configured to adsorb nitrogen under a first temperature condition and desorb nitrogen under a second temperature condition.
[0017] In one feasible exemplary embodiment, the refrigeration device is implemented as a refrigerator, and the internal preservation device is implemented as a drawer located in the refrigerator's cold compartment.
[0018] The preservation system for refrigeration equipment according to this application utilizes temperature-switching adsorption, which has many advantages such as low energy consumption, cost savings, easy integration, and wide application range. Attached Figure Description
[0019] Figure 1 A preservation system for a refrigeration device according to one embodiment of this application is shown.
[0020] Figure 2 A preservation system for a refrigeration device according to one embodiment of the present application is shown, which utilizes the adsorption and desorption of oxygen to remove oxygen from the refrigeration device.
[0021] Figure 3 A preservation system for a refrigeration device according to one embodiment of the present application is shown, which utilizes the adsorption and desorption of nitrogen to remove oxygen from the refrigeration device. Detailed Implementation
[0022] Some feasible embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the drawings are not drawn to scale. Some details may be enlarged for clarity, while some details that are not necessary to show have been omitted.
[0023] The term "refrigeration equipment" as used herein can include refrigerators, such as devices used to keep food or other related or similar items at low temperatures within a specified temperature range. Refrigerators can be commercial refrigerators or (more commonly, household) refrigerators. A refrigerator can include a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment.
[0024] like Figure 1 The diagram shows a schematic block diagram of a preservation system 100 for a refrigeration device according to one embodiment of the present application.
[0025] The preservation system 100 includes an internal preservation device 200 and an external preservation device 300. The external preservation device 300 is configured to be in fluid communication with the internal preservation device 200, enabling the external preservation device 300 to reduce the oxygen content of the gas contained in the internal preservation device 200 through temperature-dependent adsorption. This achieves a preservation effect.
[0026] The internal preservation device 200 can be configured as a sealable container within a refrigeration unit. The sealable container can be stored in a closed state within the refrigeration unit during normal operation. Additionally, the sealable container can be configured to open when the refrigeration unit is opened. The sealable container can be, for example, shaped like a drawer or having a substantially drawer shape. The internal preservation device 200 can be arranged in the refrigerator compartment and / or freezer compartment (if applicable) of the refrigeration unit. It is understood that the refrigerator compartment of the refrigeration unit, with its temperature generally between 0-10°C, is more suitable for housing the internal preservation device 200 in practical use.
[0027] The external preservation device 300 can be arranged outside the refrigeration equipment, for example, installed and fixed to the outside (outer surface) of the refrigeration equipment. Alternatively, it can be covered by a casing to protect both the preservation system 100 (especially the external preservation device 300) and the refrigeration equipment from external environmental contamination or damage. This approach is frequently used in the case of household refrigerators. The external preservation device 300 can be configured as an oxygen adsorption device 300a or a nitrogen desorption device 300b, details of which are described below.
[0028] like Figure 2 The illustration shows an exemplary embodiment of an external preservation device 300 configured as an oxygen adsorption device 300a. The oxygen adsorption device 300a includes a temperature-varying oxygen adsorbent, configured to adsorb oxygen at a first temperature (low temperature) (adsorption operation state) and desorb oxygen at a second temperature (high temperature) (desorption operation state). It is understood that the first temperature is lower than the second temperature. It is also understood that the temperature referred to in this application can refer to a temperature range or a temperature point as needed.
[0029] Since the internal preservation device 200 is arranged within the refrigeration equipment, the internal preservation device 200 and the air contained therein are in a low-temperature environment. The raw air contained in the internal preservation device 200 is driven by pump 1 and transferred to the oxygen adsorption device 300a via the first fluid passage 2. Due to the low temperature of the raw air from the internal preservation device 200, the oxygen in the raw air is adsorbed in the oxygen adsorption device 300a, thereby reducing the oxygen content in the remaining air. The remaining air is returned to the internal preservation device 200 via the second fluid passage 3 (driven by pump 1, or driven by a separate pump 4). Because the oxygen content in the remaining air is reduced, the oxygen content in the internal preservation device 200 is also reduced, thereby achieving a preservation effect. This method can be referred to as the adsorption operation state of the external preservation device 300.
[0030] On the other hand, the preservation system 100 is also configured to introduce air meeting the second temperature condition into the oxygen adsorption device 300a through the third fluid passage 5, thereby desorbing the oxygen adsorbed in the oxygen adsorption device 300a, and the desorbed oxygen is carried out of the oxygen adsorption device 300a by the gas meeting the second temperature condition through the fourth fluid passage 6. In this way, the oxygen adsorption device 300a can be regenerated and can re-adsorb oxygen from the internal preservation device 200. This method can be referred to as the desorption operation state of the external preservation device 300.
[0031] Air that meets the second temperature condition can be obtained by heating air from the atmospheric environment (e.g., by a heater), which is particularly suitable when the atmospheric environment is cold (e.g., during winter and / or in high-latitude regions). In this way, ambient air from the atmospheric environment can be heated to a sufficiently high temperature, thereby enabling the variable-temperature oxygen adsorbent in the oxygen adsorption device 300a to desorb oxygen.
[0032] Another possibility is that the air satisfying the second temperature condition can be air from the atmospheric environment, especially in situations where the atmospheric environment is warm (e.g., during summer and / or in low-latitude regions). In this way, the number of components in the preservation system 100 can be simplified, reducing structural complexity.
[0033] The adsorption and desorption operation states of the oxygen adsorption device 300a can be controlled by valves, for example, a three-way two-way valve can be used to switch between the adsorption and desorption operation states. Alternatively, it is conceivable that two separate two-way one-way valves can be used to independently control the adsorption and desorption operation states of the oxygen adsorption device 300a.
[0034] One possibility is that an oxygen concentration sensor 201 is arranged in the internal preservation device 200 to monitor the oxygen concentration of the gas in the internal preservation device 200. Another possibility is that the oxygen concentration of the gas in the internal preservation device 200 is obtained through calibration (e.g., based on the duration measured from the start of the adsorption operation, the volume of the internal preservation device 200, and / or the adsorption efficiency of the oxygen adsorption device 300a, etc.).
[0035] The preservation system 100 may be configured to switch the oxygen adsorption device 300a from an adsorption operation state to a desorption operation state (e.g., via a valve) when the oxygen concentration of the gas in the internal preservation device 200 decreases to a predetermined threshold. Alternatively or additionally, the preservation system 100 may be configured to switch the oxygen adsorption device 300a from an adsorption operation state to a desorption operation state when the gas concentration in the internal preservation device 200 remains within a predetermined concentration range for a predetermined time period.
[0036] On the other hand, an inlet oxygen concentration sensor 201' and an outlet oxygen concentration sensor 201" can be installed on the inlet and outlet sides of the oxygen adsorption device 300a, respectively, to detect the oxygen concentration at the inlet and outlet sides. The preservation system 100 can be configured to switch the oxygen adsorption device 300a from the desorption operation state to the adsorption operation state when the difference between the oxygen concentration at the inlet side 201' and the oxygen concentration at the outlet side is less than a predetermined threshold.
[0037] Another possible approach is to install an outlet oxygen concentration sensor 201” only on the outlet side of the oxygen adsorption device 300a to detect only the outlet oxygen concentration. The preservation system 100 can be configured to switch the oxygen adsorption device 300a from a desorption operation state to an adsorption operation state when the outlet oxygen concentration drops below a predetermined threshold. Alternatively or additionally, the outlet oxygen concentration can be obtained by calibration (e.g., based on the duration measured from the start of the desorption operation, and / or the adsorption rate of the oxygen adsorption device 300a, etc.).
[0038] The preservation system 100 may further include a pressure balancing device. The pressure balancing device is used to balance the pressure within the internal preservation device 200. For example, the pressure balancing device may be a one-way pressure relief valve 7. The one-way pressure relief valve 7 may be arranged on the internal preservation device 200 and configured to open when the pressure inside the internal preservation device 200 is lower than a predetermined pressure threshold, thereby connecting the inner and outer sides of the internal preservation device 200 to maintain the pressure inside the internal preservation device 200 within a certain range.
[0039] One possible configuration is that the preservation system 100 is configured such that two or more oxygen adsorption devices 300a are fluidly connected to the same internal preservation device 200, and that while at least one of the two or more oxygen adsorption devices 300a is fluidly connected to the internal preservation device 200 to adsorb oxygen, the remaining at least one of the two or more oxygen adsorption devices 300a is fluidly connected to the atmospheric environment to desorb oxygen. In this way, continuous deoxygenation of the internal preservation device 200 can be performed for continuous preservation.
[0040] like Figure 3 The illustration shows an exemplary embodiment of an external preservation device 300 configured as a nitrogen desorption device 300b. The nitrogen desorption device 300b includes a temperature-dependent nitrogen adsorbent configured to adsorb nitrogen at a first temperature (adsorption operation state) and desorb nitrogen at a second temperature (desorption operation state).
[0041] The preservation system 100 is configured to introduce air meeting a first temperature condition into the nitrogen desorption device 300b via a first fluid passage 10, thereby adsorbing nitrogen from the air into the external preservation device 300b. The remaining air with adsorbed nitrogen is then discharged from the preservation system 100 via a second fluid passage 20. The air meeting the first temperature condition can be ambient air, which is then cooled (e.g., by a refrigerator). Alternatively, when the ambient temperature is sufficiently low, ambient air can be directly introduced into the nitrogen desorption device 300b (without cooling).
[0042] On the other hand, the preservation system 100 is also configured to transfer raw air from the internal preservation device 200 to the nitrogen desorption device 300b via a third fluid passage 30 (e.g., via pump 70) to form air that meets a second temperature condition through a heating operation (e.g., via heater 50). Under the second temperature condition, the nitrogen desorption device 300b desorbs adsorbed nitrogen into the air that meets the second temperature condition to increase the nitrogen content (while decreasing the oxygen content). The nitrogen-enhanced air that meets the second temperature condition is then cooled via a cooling operation (e.g., via cooler 60) and returned to the internal preservation device 200 via a fourth fluid passage 40 (e.g., via pump 80), thereby achieving a preservation effect.
[0043] It is understood that other components and / or arrangements of the external preservation device 300 implemented as a nitrogen desorption device 300b can be similar to those of the external preservation device 300 configured as an oxygen adsorption paper 300a. For the sake of clarity, they will not be elaborated further here.
[0044] This application also relates to a refrigeration device that includes the above-mentioned preservation system.
[0045] As used herein, the terms “comprising” and “including” are open-ended and include one or more of the stated features, elements, components, or functions, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, functions, or combinations thereof.
[0046] The foregoing description of embodiments of this application is provided for illustrative and descriptive purposes. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Within the scope of this application, it will be understood that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, and alternatives listed in the foregoing paragraphs, claims, and / or description and figures, particularly their individual features, can be carried out independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be carried out in any manner and / or combined, unless such features are incompatible. It will be understood that many modifications and variations are available to those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described to properly explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the various embodiments of the invention and the various modifications suitable for the intended particular use. The applicant reserves the right to accordingly amend any originally filed claims or file any new claims, including amending any originally filed claims to dependent on and / or incorporate any features of any other claim, even if not originally claimed in this way.
Claims
1. A preservation system for refrigeration equipment, characterized in that, include: An internal preservation device (200) is located inside the refrigeration equipment; and An external preservation device (300) is located outside the refrigeration equipment. The external preservation device (300) is configured to be in fluid communication with the internal preservation device (200), so that the external preservation device (300) can reduce the oxygen content of the gas contained in the internal preservation device (200) by means of temperature-dependent adsorption.
2. The preservation system for refrigeration equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The external preservation device (300) is configured as an oxygen adsorption device (300a), which includes a temperature-varying oxygen adsorbent configured to adsorb oxygen at a first temperature and desorb oxygen at a second temperature, wherein the first temperature is lower than the second temperature.
3. The preservation system for refrigeration equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The preservation system is configured such that the raw air contained in the internal preservation device (200) can be transferred to the oxygen adsorption device (300a) via the first fluid passage (2), in which the oxygen in the raw air is adsorbed, thereby reducing the oxygen content in the remaining air.
4. The preservation system for refrigeration equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, The preservation system is configured such that the remaining air can return to the internal preservation device (200) via the second fluid passage (3), thereby reducing the oxygen content in the internal preservation device (200).
5. The preservation system for refrigeration equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that, The preservation system (100) is configured to introduce air that meets the second temperature condition into the oxygen adsorption device (300a) through the third fluid passage (5), thereby desorbing the oxygen adsorbed in the oxygen adsorption device (300a).
6. The preservation system for refrigeration equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that, The preservation system (100) is configured such that the desorbed oxygen is carried out of the oxygen adsorption device (300a) by the gas that meets the second temperature condition through the fourth fluid passage (6), which enables the oxygen adsorption device (300a) to re-adsorb oxygen from the internal preservation device (200).
7. The preservation system for refrigeration equipment according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, Also includes: A one-way pressure relief valve (7) is arranged on the internal preservation device (200) and configured to open when the pressure inside the internal preservation device (200) is lower than a predetermined pressure threshold, so as to communicate gas between the inside and outside of the internal preservation device (200).
8. The preservation system for refrigeration equipment according to any one of claims 2-6, characterized in that, The preservation system (100) is configured such that two or more oxygen adsorption devices (300a) are in fluid communication with the same internal preservation device (200).
9. The preservation system for refrigeration equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The external preservation device (300) is configured as a nitrogen desorption device (300b), which includes a temperature-dependent nitrogen adsorbent configured to adsorb nitrogen under a first temperature condition and desorb nitrogen under a second temperature condition.
10. A preservation system for refrigeration equipment according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The refrigeration device is implemented as a refrigerator, and the internal preservation device (200) is implemented as a drawer located in the refrigerator's cold compartment.