Low-Temperature Storage Control for Door-Responsive Energy Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low-temperature storage systems, such as refrigerators and freezers, tend to consume excessive power due to maintaining low temperatures even during periods of low door usage, which is unnecessary for preserving medical products or biological samples, leading to increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A low-temperature storage system with a control unit that adjusts the set temperature based on door opening/closing frequency, switching between a higher and lower temperature setting to reduce power consumption while ensuring preservation quality, using sensors and a relay circuit to control the cooling mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the set temperature is lowered to maintain preservation quality during frequent door openings, then preservation quality is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the set temperature adjustable and variable over time. The control unit dynamically changes the set temperature between a first temperature (during frequent door openings) and a second temperature (during infrequent door openings), allowing the system to adapt to changing operational conditions and optimize both preservation quality and power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback by monitoring the door opening/closing frequency and using this information to control the set temperature. The control unit receives input about door usage patterns and automatically adjusts the temperature setting accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to actual operational needs
2Use of energy by moving object
If the set temperature is raised to reduce power consumption, then power consumption decreases, but preservation quality deteriorates when door is opened frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the set temperature based on real-time door opening/closing frequency. When door openings are frequent, the system maintains the lower first temperature to ensure preservation quality. When door openings are infrequent, it raises the temperature to the second level to reduce power consumption, thus dynamically optimizing both preservation and energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter based on door usage patterns. By switching between two distinct temperature levels (first temperature during high usage, second temperature during low usage), the system optimizes the balance between preservation quality and power consumption without requiring complex continuous adjustment mechanisms
3Reliability
If the set temperature is maintained at a low level continuously, then preservation quality is consistently maintained, but unnecessary power is consumed during low usage periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between two temperature levels based on door usage patterns. Instead of maintaining a constantly low temperature, the system periodically switches to a higher temperature during infrequent usage periods, reducing energy loss while still being ready to quickly return to the lower temperature when usage frequency increases
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit automatically monitors door opening/closing frequency and self-adjusts the set temperature without manual intervention. The system serves itself by detecting usage patterns and making appropriate temperature adjustments, eliminating unnecessary power consumption during low usage periods while maintaining preservation quality during high usage periods
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
The system effectively reduces power consumption by maintaining higher temperatures during low usage periods while quickly returning to the required temperature when the door is opened/closed, thereby optimizing energy usage without compromising preservation quality.
Implementation Method 1
a blower for circulating cold air, cooled by the endothermic action of a cooler
Implementation Method 2
a main body configured with a thermally insulated casing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
[PROBLEM] In a low-temperature storage configured to cool and preserve an item to be refrigerated at a predetermined temperature, power consumption thereof is to be reduced while the quality of preservation of an item to be refrigerated being maintained. [MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM] A low-temperature storage 1 includes a thermally insulated casing 2 having an accommodating portion 21 configured to accommodate an item to be refrigerated, a door 3 provided on the thermally insulated casing 2, a cooling mechanism 71 configured to cool the accommodating unit 21, a temperature sensor 211 configured to measure the temperature in the accommodating unit 21, and an opening/closing sensor 212 configured to detect the open/closed state of the door 3, and the low-temperature storage 1 controls the temperature of the accommodating unit 21 so as to reach a predetermined target temperature, wherein setting of a first temperature, a second temperature higher than the first temperature, and a switching time is accepted, the elapsed time indicating a time from opening/closing of the door 3 to the current time is measured, the target temperature is set at the first temperature when the door 3 is opened/closed, and the target temperature is set at the second temperature when the elapsed time is equal to or greater than the switching time.