Magnetic freshness-preserving storage containers and refrigerators

Abstract

A magnetic freshness-preserving storage container and a refrigerator. The magnetic freshness-preserving storage container includes a storage box with a storage chamber defined for placing the stored items, two uniform magnetic plates made of magnetic conductive material and arranged corresponding to a pair of opposing side walls of the storage box, and two sets of electromagnetic assemblies, each set of electromagnetic assemblies arranged corresponding to the uniform magnetic plates, and when energized, an electromagnetic field is formed, and the uniform magnetic plates change the magnetic field distribution of the electromagnetic field, so that the electromagnetic field is more uniformly distributed in the storage chamber. The more uniform magnetic field makes the stored items have a uniform storage quality. At the same time, the uniform magnetic plates can save the amount of magnetic material used. The refrigerator provides a new freshness-preserving function, meets the ever-increasing user needs for smart refrigerators, and can further meet users' demands for the quality of smart homes and smart lives.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to refrigeration and freezing equipment, and more particularly to magnetic freshness-preserving storage containers and refrigerators. [Background technology]

[0002] Consumers are also paying more attention to the freshness preservation effect of refrigerators, and there are problems with meat, fish, and shrimp, as they lose their juices during storage, leading to a worsening of flavor and darkening of color. In particular, some high-quality foods lose their quality significantly after a certain period of storage.

[0003] Many prior art methods have been developed to improve storage quality, but they have not achieved ideal freshness-preserving effects, are expensive to implement, and are difficult to apply to household refrigerators. Theoretical studies of these methods have shown that magnetic fields have a significant impact on the formation of ice crystals during the freezing process. The use of magnetic fields in freshness-preserving storage in refrigerators has also been actively explored. However, when practically applied to refrigerators, the magnetic field distribution within the storage compartment is uneven, and the magnetic field strength significantly affects the freshness-preserving effect. Due to the uneven magnetic field distribution within the freshness-preserving space, it is difficult to ensure the storage quality of the stored items. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic freshness-keeping storage container and refrigerator that effectively improves storage quality.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a more uniform magnetic field within the reservoir.

[0006] A further object of the present invention is to reduce component costs.

[0007] In particular, the present invention provides a magnetic freshness storage container, a storage box defining a storage chamber for placing an item therein; The magnetic conductive material is made of a magnetic conductive material. Two two uniform magnetic plates arranged corresponding to the side walls of the 2 t Each set of electromagnetic assemblies is arranged corresponding to a uniform magnetic plate, and when energized, an electromagnetic field is formed. The uniform magnetic plate changes the magnetic field distribution of the electromagnetic field, so that the electromagnetic field is more uniformly distributed in the storage chamber. t and an electromagnetic assembly.

[0008] Optionally, one or more tabs are disposed on a side of each uniform magnetic plate facing the storage box; Each electric power The magnetic assembly includes one or more electromagnetic toroidal rings, each fitted over a tab and having an electromagnetic coil wound annularly about an axis therein.

[0009] Optionally, the shape of the uniform magnetic plate is adapted to the shape of the side wall of the storage box in which it is located, and the projection of the storage compartment onto the plane in which the uniform magnetic plate is located is located within the outer periphery contour range of the uniform magnetic plate.

[0010] Optionally, one tab is disposed on each uniform magnetic plate, the tab being located in a central region of the uniform magnetic plate, and the center of the electromagnetic annular ring fitted to the tab being substantially opposite the center of the uniform magnetic plate.

[0011] Optionally, a plurality of tabs are spaced apart on each uniform magnetic plate, with one electromagnetic annular ring fitted onto each tab.

[0012] Optionally, each uniform magnetic plate covers a portion of the side wall of the storage box where it is located, and its center faces the center of the side wall, and a protrusion is disposed on the side facing the storage box where it is located; Each electric power The magnetic assembly includes an electromagnetic annular ring, and a segment of the inner peripheral wall of the electromagnetic annular ring abuts against the protrusion.

[0013] Optionally, the magnetic storage device further includes magnetically conductive connecting strips connected to both sides of the two uniform magnetic plates and forming, together with the two uniform magnetic plates, a circular magnetically conductive path outside the storage chamber.

[0014] Optionally, the magnetic freshness storage container comprises: a barrel having a forward opening; The storage box is a drawer and is retractably disposed within the cylinder, and two uniform magnetic plates are disposed at the top and bottom of the storage box, respectively.

[0015] Optionally, the uniform magnetic plate is located on the outside or inside of the cylinder, and the minimum distance between the electromagnetic assembly and the area in the storage chamber where the stored items are placed is greater than 1 mm.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a refrigerator, comprising: a storage body having a storage room defined therein; and any one of the above magnetic freshness-keeping storage containers disposed within the storage chamber.

[0017] The magnetic freshness preservation storage container of the present invention, two uniform magnetic plates, 2 t The electromagnetic assemblies are respectively located opposite to each other in the storage box. Two The uniform magnetic plate is made of a magnetically conductive material and is positioned corresponding to the side wall of the storage compartment. The magnetic field distribution created by the electromagnetic assembly is modified, resulting in a more uniform distribution of the electromagnetic field within the storage compartment. The magnetic field contributes to improved storage quality, shortening freezing time, reducing the rate of juice loss and nutrient loss in food, reducing the number of microorganisms and bacteria, and extending the freshness retention period. The more uniform magnetic field ensures that the stored items have uniform storage quality. At the same time, the uniform magnetic plate can reduce the amount of magnetic material used, avoiding the increased costs and weight caused by using too many or too large magnetic components.

[0018] Furthermore, in the magnetic freshness-preserving storage container of the present invention, a tab is provided on the side of the uniform magnetic plate facing the storage box, which limits the electromagnetic assembly while facilitating the concentration of the magnetic field on the uniform magnetic plate, thereby improving the efficiency of magnetic field utilization.

[0019] Furthermore, in the magnetic freshness-keeping storage container of the present invention, by optimizing the structure of the uniform magnetic plate and the electromagnetic assembly, the structure of the magnetic freshness-keeping storage container can be made more compact, particularly suitable for structures such as storage boxes and storage drawers, and magnetic freshness-keeping can be achieved in a relatively flat storage compartment.

[0020] Furthermore, in the refrigerator of the present invention, by being equipped with the above-mentioned magnetic freshness-preserving storage container, food is stored in a magnetic field environment, the growth of ice crystals is suppressed, the growth rate of ice crystals is higher than the migration rate of water molecules, and the ice crystals generated are small, which reduces damage to cells, avoids loss of juice, ensures a better texture of food, improves frozen storage quality, and meets user demands for the storage quality of valuable food ingredients.

[0021] Furthermore, in the refrigerator of the present invention, the magnetic field improves storage quality, providing a new freshness-preserving function for smart refrigerators, meeting the increasing user needs for smart refrigerators, and further satisfying users' demands for the quality of smart homes and smart lives.

[0022] These and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] Some specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail, by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate the same or similar parts or portions, and in which those skilled in the art should understand that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a refrigerator with a magnetic freshness-preserving storage container according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a magnetic freshness-preserving storage container with a drawer structure according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a magnetic freshness storage container according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the magnetic freshness-preserving storage container shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 1 is an exploded view of a magnetic freshness storage container according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram of a magnetic freshness storage container according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the magnetic freshness-preserving storage container shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic diagram of a magnetic freshness storage container having a magnetic conductive connecting strip according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic diagram of a magnetic freshness storage container having a magnetic conductive connecting strip according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic diagram of a magnetic freshness-preserving storage container with a drawer structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control system for a refrigerator equipped with a magnetic freshness-preserving storage container according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a refrigerator 10 with a magnetic freshness-preserving storage container 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator 10 of this embodiment generally comprises a cabinet 120, a door body 110, and a refrigeration system (not shown). Within the cabinet 120, at least one (usually multiple) storage compartments open to the front are defined, such as a refrigerated storage compartment, a freezer storage compartment, a temperature-variable storage compartment, etc. The specific number and functions of the storage compartments may be determined according to the needs of the installation.

[0025] The refrigerator 10 of this embodiment may be an air-cooled refrigerator, and includes a ventilation system in the cabinet 120, where cool air that has been heat-exchanged in a heat exchanger (evaporator) is sent from the ventilation port to the storage compartment and returned to the ventilation duct from the return air port to achieve freezing. The cabinet 120, door body 110, and refrigeration system of such a refrigerator are all well known and can be easily realized by those skilled in the art. Therefore, in order to avoid obscuring or blurring the key points of the present invention, detailed descriptions of the cabinet 120, door body 110, and refrigeration system themselves will be omitted below.

[0026] A magnetic freshness-keeping container 200 may be placed inside one or more storage compartments of the refrigerator 10. When placed in the freezer compartment, the magnetic freshness-keeping container 200 freezes and keeps frozen food fresh, inhibiting ice crystal growth, so that the ice crystal growth rate is faster than the water molecule migration rate, resulting in smaller ice crystals, reducing damage to cells, avoiding juice loss, accelerating the freezing process, and shortening the freezing time. When placed in the refrigerator compartment, the magnetic freshness-keeping container 200 slows down the oxidation-reduction reaction rate of food, suppressing nutrient and moisture loss, preventing food discoloration, and inhibiting bacterial growth, thereby extending the food's freshness retention period.

[0027] The number of magnetic freshness-preserving storage containers 200 and the compartments in which they are located can be determined according to the needs of the user. For example, one or more magnetic freshness-preserving storage containers 200 may be located within the refrigerator 10. The magnetic freshness-preserving storage containers 200 may be located in the refrigerated compartment, the freezer compartment, or the temperature-variable compartment, and the magnetic field helps preserve freshness within the compartment. The magnetic freshness-preserving storage containers 200 may be located in separate compartments of the refrigerator 10, and the refrigerator 10 may control the temperature independently.

[0028] The magnetic freshness-preserving storage container 200 may include a storage box 210. A storage compartment for placing stored items is defined within the storage box 210, and the storage box 210 may be box-shaped. In some embodiments, the storage box 210 may have an overall flat rectangular shape (i.e., the height is significantly smaller than the depth and the width). Those skilled in the art can design the structure and dimensions of the storage box 210 according to the desired storage compartment, and utilize a box-like, cabinet-like, or in some embodiments, drawer-like structure.

[0029] 2 is a schematic diagram of a magnetic freshness-keeping storage container 200 with a drawer structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. Storage box 210 may have a drawer structure. That is, magnetic freshness-keeping storage container 200 further includes a cylindrical body 211. Cylindrical body 211 has a front opening. Storage box 210 is disposed within cylindrical body 211 so as to be retractable. After storage box 210 is pulled out, storage compartment 212 is exposed, allowing access to stored items. After storage box 210 is pushed into cylindrical body 211, an independent sealed space can be formed. The structure of a refrigerator drawer itself is well known to those skilled in the art, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0030] The two uniform magnetic plates 221 of the magnetic freshness storage container 200 are made of a magnetic conductive material and are respectively attached to opposite sides of the storage box 210. Two The uniform magnetic plates 221 are arranged corresponding to the side walls of the storage box 210. The uniform magnetic plates 221 are made of a material with low coercivity and high magnetic permeability, such as silicon steel plate or a similar material. The opposing sides on which the uniform magnetic plates 221 are located are selected depending on the shape of the storage box 210 itself and the structure of the storage compartment 212. For example, they may be selected to be arranged on both lateral sides, both top and bottom sides, or both front and rear sides of the storage box 210. That is, the two uniform magnetic plates 221 may be arranged on both left and right lateral sides, both top and bottom sides, or both front and rear sides of the storage box 210.

[0031] The storage box 210 has a generally flat shape, and particularly when the storage box 210 is in the form of a drawer, the two uniform magnetic plates 221 may be preferentially disposed on both the top and bottom of the storage box 210. The magnetic field formed by the magnetic freshness-preserving storage container 200 penetrates the storage compartment 212 from top to bottom or bottom to top.

[0032] The magnetic freshness storage container 200 is t The electromagnetic assembly 222 includes: Each electric power The magnetic assembly 222 is arranged corresponding to the uniform magnetic plate 221, and when energized, an electromagnetic field is generated. The uniform magnetic plate 221 changes the magnetic field distribution of the electromagnetic field, so that the electromagnetic field is more uniformly distributed in the storage chamber 212. When two uniform magnetic plates 221 are preferentially arranged on both the top and bottom sides of the storage box 210, two t The electromagnetic assemblies 222 are correspondingly disposed on both the top and bottom sides of the storage box 210. In an embodiment where uniform magnetic plates are disposed on the other opposite side walls of the storage box, two t The electromagnetic assembly 222 may be disposed on the side wall corresponding to the uniform magnetic plate.

[0033] The magnetic field strength range that satisfies the freshness-preserving requirements may be 1Gs to 100Gs, and when applied to a freezer environment, the magnetic field strength range is preferably 5 to 60GS, for example, about 20Gs, and when applied to a refrigerated environment, the magnetic field strength range is 20 to 160GS, preferably 40 to 80GS, for example, about 60Gs. In other words, the uniform magnetic plate 221 and the electromagnetic assembly 222 can form a freshness-preserving magnetic field within the above magnetic field strength range that can completely cover the storage compartment.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a magnetic freshness-preserving storage container 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the magnetic freshness-preserving storage container 200 shown in FIG. 3. To illustrate the fitting relationship between the uniform magnetic plate 221 and the electromagnetic annular ring 223, FIG. 5 omits the storage box 210 and shows only the cylindrical body 211 on which the storage box 210 is placed. The shape of the uniform magnetic plate 221 is adapted to the shape of the sidewall of the cylindrical body 211 where it is located, and the projection of the storage chamber onto the plane of the uniform magnetic plate is located within the outer contour range of the uniform magnetic plate. That is, the dimensions of the uniform magnetic plate 221 are equal to or slightly larger than the corresponding side of the storage box 210. When the uniform magnetic plates 221 are placed on the top and bottom of the cylindrical body 211, the top uniform magnetic plate 221 covers the upper surface of the storage chamber 212, respectively, and the bottom uniform magnetic plate 221 covers the lower surface of the storage chamber 212, respectively. The uniform magnetic plate 221 allows the magnetic field to cover the storage box 210 without any blind spots.

[0035] Each uniform magnetic plate 221 has one or more tabs 224 on the side facing the storage box 210; Each electric power The magnetic assembly 222 includes one or more electromagnetic annular rings 223, each fitted with a tab 224, and an electromagnetic coil wound annularly along the axis inside the ring. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the top uniform magnetic plate 221 includes a downwardly facing tab 224, and the bottom uniform magnetic plate 221 includes an upwardly facing tab 224. A tab 224 is provided on each uniform magnetic plate 221, and the tab 224 is located in the central region of the uniform magnetic plate 221.

[0036] An electromagnetic coil is wound around the inside of the electromagnetic annular ring 223 in a circumferential direction, and an electromagnetic field is formed in the storage chamber 212 when the electromagnetic coil is energized. By controlling the electromagnetic coil, the electromagnetic field may be a static magnetic field with a constant magnetic field direction and / or magnetic field strength, an alternating magnetic field with alternating magnetic field direction and / or magnetic field strength, or a pulsed magnetic field that is activated at intervals, as needed. The magnetic field adjustment can be achieved by adjusting the current passing through the electromagnetic coil. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic field may be adjusted depending on the storage environment in the storage chamber 212 and the storage state of the stored items. In other embodiments, the electromagnetic field may be a constant magnetic field with no change in magnetic field strength.

[0037] The electromagnetic annular ring 223 may be formed as a flat ring, with both the top and bottom of both ends (top and bottom) flat and its thickness significantly smaller than its outer periphery. The width-to-thickness ratio of the electromagnetic annular ring 223 may be in the range of 1 to 10. The electromagnetic annular ring 223 has a corresponding waterproof structure, such as dip coating, resin sealing, a seal ring, or a sealed housing to protect the internal electromagnetic coil, resulting in a flat ring-like overall structure. The electromagnetic annular ring 223 with the above structure can be easily fitted with the uniform magnetic plate 221, occupying less space. The electromagnetic annular ring 223 is fitted onto a tab 224, within which the electromagnetic coil is wound annularly along the axis. The contour of the tab 224 is adapted to the shape of the inner peripheral through-hole of the electromagnetic annular ring 223, and the electromagnetic annular ring 223 can be attached to the tab 224. Furthermore, the tab 224 guides the magnetic field of the electromagnetic annular ring 223 to the uniform magnetic plate 221, and the uniform magnetic plate 221 can change the magnetic field distribution of the electromagnetic field.

[0038] The number of turns of the electromagnetic coil in the electromagnetic annular ring 223 is set according to the desired magnetic field strength. The electromagnetic field formed by the electromagnetic annular ring 223 is perpendicular to the side wall of the storage box 210, and the magnetic pole directions of the electromagnetic annular rings 223 on the opposite side walls are the same, forming a magnetic field that penetrates the storage chamber. That is, the north poles of the two electromagnetic annular rings 223 face in the same direction, and the south poles face in opposite directions. For example, the magnetic field direction can be from top to bottom or from bottom to top. Based on the same technical concept, it is easy for those skilled in the art to realize a magnetic field with an opposite direction.

[0039] The tab 224 is located in the central region of the uniform magnetic plate 221, and the center of the electromagnetic annular ring 223 fitted to the tab 224 is substantially opposite to the center of the uniform magnetic plate 221. The tab 224 restricts the electromagnetic annular ring 223, and at the same time, the magnetic field is easily concentrated on the uniform magnetic plate 221, improving the efficiency of magnetic field utilization.

[0040] The protruding height of the tab 224 is substantially the same as or slightly smaller than the thickness of the electromagnetic annular ring 223, which facilitates the fitting of the uniform magnetic plate 221 and the electromagnetic annular ring 223 with the storage box 210 (or the cylindrical body 211).

[0041] The uniform magnetic plate 221 expands the magnetic field range of the electromagnetic annular ring 223, making the electromagnetic field more uniform. The electromagnetic annular ring 223 is co-centered with the uniform magnetic plate 221. The dimensions of the uniform magnetic plate 221 are larger than the outer periphery of the electromagnetic annular ring 223, which expands the coverage of the electromagnetic field.

[0042] 5 is an exploded view of components of a magnetic freshness storage container 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In order to show the fitting relationship between the uniform magnetic plate 221 and the electromagnetic annular ring 223, the storage box 210 is omitted in FIG. 5, and only the cylinder 211 on which the storage box 210 is placed is shown. In the magnetic freshness storage container 200 of this embodiment, the two uniform magnetic plates 221 of the magnetic freshness storage container 200 are also attached to the opposite sides of the storage box 210. TwoThe uniform magnetic plates 221 are disposed corresponding to the side walls of the cylinder 211, and may be selected to be disposed on both lateral sides, both top and bottom sides, or both front and rear sides of the cylinder 211. The dimensions of the uniform magnetic plates 221 are equal to or slightly larger than the corresponding sides of the storage box 210. When the uniform magnetic plates 221 are disposed on the top and bottom of the cylinder 211, the top uniform magnetic plates 221 can respectively cover the upper surface of the storage chamber 212, and the bottom uniform magnetic plates 221 can respectively cover the bottom surface of the storage chamber 212. The uniform magnetic plates 221 allow the magnetic field to cover the storage chamber 212 without any blind spots.

[0043] A plurality of tabs 224 are provided at intervals on each uniform magnetic plate 221, and one electromagnetic annular ring 223 is fitted to each tab 224. The tabs 224 are uniformly distributed on the uniform magnetic plate 221. For example, two or four tabs 224 of the same size are provided on the uniform magnetic plate 221, and each tab 224 is fitted to one electromagnetic annular ring 223. The plurality of electromagnetic annular rings 223 can disperse the magnetic field distribution and further improve the uniformity of the magnetic field.

[0044] The number of the tabs 224 and the electromagnetic annular rings 223 is set according to the size of the storage chamber 212. For example, in the case of a storage box 210 with a large storage chamber 212, the uniform magnetic plate 221 may be configured so that multiple tabs 224 are fitted to multiple electromagnetic annular rings 223. In the case of a storage box 210 with a small storage chamber 212, the uniform magnetic plate may be configured so that one tab 224 is fitted to one electromagnetic annular ring 223.

[0045] The combination of the uniform magnetic plates 221 and the electromagnetic annular rings 223 on both sides has substantially the same structure, forming a magnetic field that penetrates the storage chamber 212. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the uniform magnetic plates 221 on the top and bottom of the storage box 210 each have two tabs 224, and two electromagnetic annular rings 223 are disposed on the top and bottom of the storage box 210 and fitted thereto. Based on this structure, it is easy for those skilled in the art to realize the fitting of multiple tabs 224 and electromagnetic annular rings 223.

[0046] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a magnetic freshness storage container 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the magnetic freshness storage container 200 shown in FIG. 6. In order to show the fitting relationship between the uniform magnetic plate 221 and the electromagnetic annular ring 223, the storage box 210 is omitted in FIGS. 6 and 7, and only the cylindrical body 211 on which the storage box 210 is placed is shown. In this embodiment, the size of the uniform magnetic plate 221 is further reduced, thereby reducing the weight of the magnetic freshness storage container 200. The uniform magnetic plates 221 are respectively attached to the opposite sides of the storage box 210 (or cylindrical body 211). Two Each uniform magnetic plate 221 covers a portion of the side wall of the storage box 210 (or cylinder 211) in which it is located, with its center facing the center of the side wall and a protrusion 225 on the side facing the storage box 210. Each electric power The magnetic assembly 222 includes an electromagnetic annular ring 223, and a segment of the inner peripheral wall of the electromagnetic annular ring 223 abuts against the protrusion 225. The projection of the uniform magnetic plate 221 onto the plane on which the corresponding side wall of the storage box 210 is located may be located in the central region of the storage box 210. For example, in the case of the uniform magnetic plates 221 arranged at the top and bottom of the cylindrical body 211, the positions of the uniform magnetic plates 221 may be at the center of the upper and lower front-rear directions of the cylindrical body 211.

[0047] The inner peripheral wall of the electromagnetic annular ring 223 is fitted onto the protruding portion 225 of the uniform magnetic plate 221 via the central segment, and the uniform magnetic plate 221 changes the electromagnetic field distribution.

[0048] 8 is a schematic diagram of a magnetic freshness-preserving storage container 200 having a magnetic conductive connecting strip 230 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The magnetic freshness-preserving storage container 200 may further include magnetic conductive connecting strips 230 connected to both sides of two uniform magnetic plates 221 and forming, together with the two uniform magnetic plates 221, a circular magnetic conductive path outside the storage chamber 212. The magnetic conductive connecting strips 230 connect the uniform magnetic plates 221 to the outside of the storage chamber 212 to form the circular magnetic conductive path. The magnetic conductive connecting strips 230 are made of the same material as the uniform magnetic plates 221, and the formed magnetic conductive path concentrates the magnetic field, improving the magnetic field uniformity within the storage chamber 212 while reducing magnetic field emission to the outside and reducing interference with other components outside the magnetic freshness-preserving storage container 200 (e.g., avoiding magnetization of other components).

[0049] The magnetically conductive connecting strip 230 may be integrally formed with, i.e., made of the same material as, the uniform magnetic plate 221. In other embodiments, the magnetically conductive connecting strip 230 may be joined with the uniform magnetic plate 221 to form an annular magnetically conductive path.

[0050] In an embodiment in which the uniform magnetic plate 221 and the electromagnetic annular ring 223 are respectively disposed at the top and bottom of the storage box 210 (or cylinder 211), one segment of the magnetic conductive connecting strip 230 may extend from the center of one lateral side (e.g., the right side) of the top uniform magnetic plate 221 along one side wall of the storage chamber to the center of the corresponding side (e.g., the right side) of the bottom uniform magnetic plate 221, and another segment of the magnetic conductive connecting strip 230 may extend from the center of the other lateral side (e.g., the left side) of the top uniform magnetic plate 221 along the other side wall of the storage chamber 212 to the center of the other side (e.g., the left side) of the bottom uniform magnetic plate 221.

[0051] Magnetic conductive connecting strip 230 may be strip-shaped, and its width along the front-to-back depth direction is one-half to one-tenth of the length along the front-to-back depth direction of uniform magnetic plate 221. That is, magnetic conductive connecting strip 230 is disposed at the center position of uniform magnetic plate 221 in the front-to-back direction, and is significantly smaller than uniform magnetic plate 221. The structure of magnetic conductive connecting strip 230 and uniform magnetic plate 221 described above satisfies the magnetic field strength requirements, while reducing the use of magnetic conductive materials and magnetic components, thereby reducing the cost of magnetic freshness-keeping storage container 200, and reducing the overall weight of magnetic freshness-keeping storage container 200 and refrigerator 10.

[0052] 9 is a schematic diagram of a magnetic freshness-preserving storage container 200 having a magnetic conductive connecting strip 230 according to another embodiment of the present invention. A uniform magnetic plate 221 covers the central region of the sidewall of the storage box 210 in which it is located, with its center facing the center of the sidewall. The magnetic conductive connecting strip 230 connects from one end of the uniform magnetic plate 221 along the outside of the cylindrical body 211 to the other uniform magnetic plate 221, forming a ring-shaped magnetic conductive path. The magnetic conductive connecting strip 230 and the uniform magnetic plate 221 are positioned at the center of the front and rear depth directions of the cylindrical body 211, forming a magnetic conductive path outside the storage chamber 212, thereby preventing magnetic field leakage to the outside.

[0053] When the magnetic freshness-keeping storage container 200 has a drawer structure, the uniform magnetic plate 221 may be disposed outside the cylindrical body 211. For example, the uniform magnetic plate 221 and the electromagnetic assembly 222 may be disposed above the top surface of the cylindrical body 211 and below the bottom surface of the cylindrical body 211. Considering that the electromagnetic assembly 222 generates heat when it is energized to generate a magnetic field, the distance between the electromagnetic assembly 222 and the items stored in the storage compartment is 1 mm or more. The uniform magnetic plate 221 and the electromagnetic assembly 222 may be disposed outside the cylindrical body 211, which can reduce the impact of the electromagnetic assembly 222 on the storage temperature of the items stored in the storage compartment 212 and facilitate the flow of cool air to dissipate the heat from the electromagnetic assembly 222.

[0054] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a magnetic freshness-preserving container 200 with a drawer structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the magnetic freshness-preserving container 200 has a drawer structure, and the uniform magnetic plate 221 and the electromagnetic assembly 222 are disposed inside the cylindrical body 211. That is, the uniform magnetic plate 221 and the electromagnetic annular ring 223 are disposed inside the top and bottom surfaces of the cylindrical body 211. A structure for disposing the uniform magnetic plate 221 and the electromagnetic assembly 222 may be provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical body 211. This structure reduces the distance between the electromagnetic assembly 222 and the stored items, which is beneficial for the magnetic field effect on the stored items. Considering that heat is generated when the electromagnetic assembly 222 is energized to generate a magnetic field, the distance between the electromagnetic annular ring 223 and the stored items in the storage chamber 212 is 1 mm or more. That is, the gap between the electromagnetic annular ring 223 and the stored items is 1 mm or more.

[0055] 11 is a block diagram of a control system for a refrigerator 10 equipped with a magnetic freshness-preserving storage container 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the refrigerator 10 of this embodiment, magnetic field control and freezing control are combined to freeze food in a magnetic field environment, thereby achieving the effect of freshness-preserving freezing.

[0056] The refrigerator 10 may further include one or more of a storage temperature sensor 330, an open / close detector 340, and a refrigeration controller 310. The storage temperature sensor 330 detects the storage temperature in the storage compartment 212, and the open / close detector 340 is used to detect whether the storage compartment 212 is open or closed.

[0057] After the open / close detector 340 detects that the storage compartment 212 has been opened, the storage temperature sensor 330 detects whether new ingredients have been added or whether the original ingredients need to be re-frozen. During the freezing process, the electromagnetic annular ring 223 and the freezing system 320 work together to use a magnetic field to assist freezing and improve the effect of keeping the frozen freshness of the ingredients.

[0058] The controller 310 is used to control the electromagnetic annular ring 223 and the refrigeration system 320, and realize the corresponding refrigeration and magnetic field control. Various sensors (including the storage temperature sensor 330 and the open / close detector 340) provide detection means for the above control, and can meet the control needs of the control method.

[0059] The controller 310 may be configured to control the electromagnetic annular ring 221 to generate an electromagnetic field, such as a static magnetic field with a constant magnetic field direction and / or magnetic field strength, an alternating magnetic field with alternating magnetic field direction and / or magnetic field strength, or a pulsed magnetic field that is activated at intervals, depending on the temperature of the storage compartment and the operating state of the refrigerator 10. The controller 310 may activate the electromagnetic field when a stronger magnetic field is required because the magnetic field is more useful at a particular storage stage of the stored items, or may use a static magnetic field to maintain the basic magnetic field strength during normal storage.

[0060] For example, when a magnetic field is used to assist frozen storage, the controller 310 may be configured to activate the electromagnetic field when new storage items are placed in the storage compartment 212 and the storage temperature is within a set temperature threshold range. The temperature threshold range may be set according to the temperature at which crystallization occurs during the freezing process, and the magnetic field strength may be increased during the crystallization process. By using the above control method, the storage items are frozen in a strong magnetic field environment, which inhibits ice crystal growth, avoids damage to cells, prevents loss of juice, and ensures a better texture of the food items, improving the quality of frozen storage and satisfying user demands for the quality of storage of valuable food items.

[0061] In describing the present embodiment, the orientations or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer" are orientations or positional relationships based on the accompanying drawings, and are used only for the purpose of explaining and simplifying the description of the present invention. They do not necessarily indicate or imply that such devices or elements have a specific orientation or are constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and should not be understood as limitations of the present invention.

[0062] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be understood as indicating or implying the relative importance or number of such technical features. Thus, a feature defined by "first" or "second" expressly or implies the inclusion of at least one such feature, i.e., one or more such features. In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise expressly and specifically limited, "plurality" means at least two, e.g., two, three, etc. It should be noted that when a feature "comprises or has" some features that are present or included therein, it does not exclude the inclusion of other features or further inclusion of other features, unless otherwise specified.

[0063] Unless otherwise expressly defined and limited, the terms "attached," "coupled," "connected," etc. should be understood in a broad sense, and may refer to, for example, fixed connection, detachable connection, or integral connection, mechanical connection, electrical connection, direct connection, indirect connection via an intermediate medium, internal communication between two elements, or an interactive relationship between two elements. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention according to specific circumstances.

[0064] Furthermore, in the description of this embodiment, when a first feature is "above" or "below" a second feature, it means that the first feature and the second feature are in direct contact, or that the first feature and the second feature are in contact without being in direct contact but through another feature between them. That is, in the description of this embodiment, when a first feature is "above," "above," or "on the upper surface" of a second feature, it means that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. When a first feature is "below," "below," or "on the lower surface" of a second feature, it means that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or that the horizontal height of the first feature is lower than that of the second feature.

[0065] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in describing the present examples have the same meaning as can be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs.

[0066] In the description of the present embodiment, references such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "schematic embodiment," "exemplary," "specific example," or "some examples" mean that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in this embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, general references to such terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the described specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0067] Although several exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail and comprehensively herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many other variations or modifications in accordance with the principles of the present invention can be directly determined or inferred based on the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It should therefore be understood that the scope of the present invention is intended to cover all such variations or modifications.

Claims

1. a storage box defining a storage chamber for placing an item therein; a cylindrical body having a front opening, in which the storage box is disposed so as to be removable as a drawer; two uniform magnetic plates made of magnetically conductive material; two electromagnetic assemblies, each of which is disposed facing a different one of the two uniform magnetic plates and extending in a plane parallel to the uniform magnetic plate, and each of which is sandwiched between a different one of two opposing side walls of the cylindrical body and a different one of the two uniform magnetic plates, and which, when energized, form an electromagnetic field, and the magnetic field distribution of the electromagnetic field is changed by the uniform magnetic plate, so that the electromagnetic field is more uniformly distributed within the storage chamber; each of the uniform magnetic plates has one or more tabs on a side facing the storage box; Each of the electromagnetic assemblies includes one or more electromagnetic annular rings, each of which fits over a tab and has an electromagnetic coil wound annularly about its axis within the electromagnetic annular ring.

2. 2. The magnetic freshness-preserving storage container of claim 1, wherein the shape of the uniform magnetic plate is adapted to the shape of the side wall of the storage box in which it is located, and the projection of the uniform magnetic plate onto the plane in which the storage compartment is located is located within the outer contour range of the uniform magnetic plate.

3. 3. The magnetic freshness-preserving storage container of claim 2, wherein one tab is provided on each of the uniform magnetic plates, the tab is located in a central region of the uniform magnetic plate, and the center of an electromagnetic annular ring fitted to the tab is substantially opposite the center of the uniform magnetic plate.

4. 2. The magnetic freshness-preserving storage container of claim 1, wherein a plurality of said tabs are spaced apart on each said uniform magnetic plate, and one said electromagnetic annular ring is fitted onto each said tab.

5. A storage box having a storage chamber defined therein for placing an item to be stored; a cylindrical body having a front opening, in which the storage box is disposed so as to be removable as a drawer; two uniform magnetic plates made of magnetically conductive material; two electromagnetic assemblies, each of which is disposed facing a different one of the two uniform magnetic plates and extending in a plane parallel to the uniform magnetic plate, and each of which is sandwiched between a different one of two opposing side walls of the cylindrical body and a different one of the two uniform magnetic plates, and which, when energized, form an electromagnetic field, and the magnetic field distribution of the electromagnetic field is changed by the uniform magnetic plate, so that the electromagnetic field is more uniformly distributed within the storage chamber; Each of the uniform magnetic plates covers a portion of the side wall of the storage box where it is located, its center faces the center of the side wall, and a protrusion is provided on the side facing the storage box where it is located; Each electromagnetic assembly includes an electromagnetic annular ring, a segment of an inner peripheral wall of the electromagnetic annular ring abutting the protrusion.

6. A storage box having a storage chamber defined therein for placing an item to be stored; a cylindrical body having a front opening, in which the storage box is disposed so as to be removable as a drawer; two uniform magnetic plates made of magnetically conductive material; two electromagnetic assemblies, each of which is disposed facing a different one of the two uniform magnetic plates and extending in a plane parallel to the uniform magnetic plate, and each of which is sandwiched between a different one of two opposing side walls of the cylindrical body and a different one of the two uniform magnetic plates, and which, when energized, form an electromagnetic field, and the magnetic field distribution of the electromagnetic field is changed by the uniform magnetic plate, so that the electromagnetic field is more uniformly distributed within the storage chamber; The magnetic freshness-preserving storage container further includes magnetically conductive connecting strips connected to both sides of the two uniform magnetic plates and forming, together with the two uniform magnetic plates, an annular magnetically conductive path outside the storage chamber.

7. The magnetic freshness-preserving storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the two uniform magnetic plates are respectively disposed at the top and bottom of the cylinder.

8. 8. The magnetic freshness-preserving storage container of claim 7, wherein the uniform magnetic plate is positioned on the outside or inside of the cylindrical body, and the minimum distance between the electromagnetic assembly and the area where the stored items are placed in the storage chamber is greater than 1 mm.

9. a storage body having a storage room defined therein; A refrigerator comprising: a magnetic freshness-preserving storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, disposed inside the storage compartment.

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