Refrigerator Airtight Drawer Venting for Easy Vacuum Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airtight containers for refrigerators face challenges in maintaining a weak vacuum state while allowing easy opening, as the difference in pressure makes it difficult for users to open the drawer and can lead to dew formation and deformation of the container, which compromises airtightness and freshness.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a ventilation port opening/closing member that moves in the same direction as the drawer, allowing easy release of the vacuum state and guided dew discharge, along with a reinforcing structure and elastic members to maintain airtightness and prevent deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the airtight container is maintained in a weak vacuum state to preserve freshness, then the airtightness and food freshness are improved, but the drawer becomes difficult to open due to pressure difference
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation port opening/closing member is designed to be operated in advance before withdrawing the drawer. By opening the ventilation port first, the vacuum state is released, equalizing the pressure inside and outside the container, which eliminates the suction force that would otherwise make the drawer difficult to open. This preliminary action of opening the ventilation port resolves the pressure difference issue before drawer withdrawal.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening operation is segmented into two distinct steps: first opening the ventilation port to release vacuum, then withdrawing the drawer. This segmentation separates the pressure equalization function from the drawer withdrawal function, allowing each to be optimized independently. The ventilation port mechanism handles the pressure issue, while the drawer handles the food access function.
2Reliability
If the drawer is hermetically sealed to maintain vacuum state, then the freshness preservation is improved, but the case opening deforms toward the interior due to pressure difference
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation port is opened in advance before the drawer is fully withdrawn or before the case opening is subjected to full pressure differential. This preliminary venting action prevents the cumulative deformation that would occur if the hermetic seal were maintained under continuous pressure difference, thereby protecting the case opening shape while still allowing vacuum maintenance during normal storage.
3Ease of operation
If the operation handle rotates to release vacuum, then the vacuum release function is achieved, but the drawer movement direction conflicts with the operation direction requiring straight-line withdrawal
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation port opening/closing member merges the vacuum release function with the drawer withdrawal motion. Instead of requiring a separate rotating operation handle, the opening/closing member moves linearly in the same direction as the drawer, combining both functions into a single unified motion. This eliminates the directional conflict and simplifies the operation sequence.
4Reliability
If the case is hermetically sealed to maintain vacuum, then the freshness is preserved, but dew forms and cannot be discharged
Solution Approach 1:
The dew discharge function is extracted as a separate feature from the hermetic sealing system. A dedicated dew discharge port is provided that can be opened independently to allow dew to escape from the case interior. This extraction allows the hermetic seal to maintain vacuum for freshness while providing a separate escape route for harmful dew accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dew discharge port converts the harmful effect of dew accumulation into a controlled discharge mechanism. By providing a dedicated discharge path, the system acknowledges dew formation as an inevitable byproduct of vacuum cooling and transforms it from a harmful accumulated effect into a manageable, controllable discharge process that prevents food spoilage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy opening of the airtight container even when in a weak vacuum state, prevents dew observation, and ensures continuous maintenance of the vacuum state for freshness, while allowing for simple discharge of water formed inside.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member, one end of which is connected to the drawer and the other end of which is connected to the case or the reinforcing member
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum pump may be further provided to maintain the inside of the airtight container at a weak vacuum state or low pressure state
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a case, a drawer, and a ventilation port opening/closing member. The case has a storage space formed therein and the drawer stores food and opens and closes the storage space while being supported by the case so as to be movable with respect to the case. The ventilation port opening/closing member ventilates the storage space. Here, the drawer includes a ventilation port for ventilating the storage space, and the ventilation port opening/closing member moves in the direction as the drawer to open and close the ventilation port.