Compartmentalized Food Storage With Individual Climate and Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional food storage and preparation systems face issues such as food theft, spoilage, lack of space, cleanliness, and temperature control problems in shared environments like dormitories, offices, and recreational vehicles, due to inadequate individual control over climate and access.

Innovation Solution

A compact, integrated system with individual climate-controlled compartments that include sensors for monitoring parameters and an induction cooktop for food preparation, allowing for secure, efficient storage and processing of perishable and non-perishable items, with access control via smartphone or proximity sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional shared refrigerators are used in dormitories and offices, then space is utilized and basic storage is provided, but food theft, spoilage, and sanitation issues occur due to lack of individual control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood safetyVSAvoidindividual control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The refrigerator is divided into multiple independently controlled compartments, each with its own temperature control and access rights. This segmentation allows individual users to control their own storage space while sharing the overall refrigerator unit, eliminating food theft and spoilage issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each compartment can have different temperature settings and access permissions tailored to specific user needs. This local quality approach allows different zones within the refrigerator to serve different purposes (e.g., cold storage for dairy, freezing for meats) with optimized conditions for each.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional cooking appliances are installed in dormitories, then food preparation capability is provided, but fire hazards increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood preparation capabilityVSAvoidfire hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional electrical heating elements with induction heating technology. Induction heating uses electromagnetic fields to directly heat cookware, eliminating exposed heating elements and reducing fire hazards while maintaining food preparation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooking system uses induction technology to change the heating mechanism from resistive heating to electromagnetic induction, operating at different frequency parameters that provide faster, more efficient heating with reduced fire risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of stationary object

If compact integrated systems are used in recreational vehicles and boats, then space efficiency is improved, but climate control and food safety become more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem sizeVSAvoidclimate control

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (refrigeration, freezing, cooking, and storage) into a single integrated unit. This merging of functions reduces the overall space required while maintaining reliable climate control through a unified system that can monitor and adjust conditions across all compartments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated system provides multiple functions including refrigeration, freezing, induction cooking, and secure storage within a single unit. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to various food preparation and storage needs while maintaining a compact footprint suitable for recreational vehicles and boats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This system eliminates food theft, ensures proper storage conditions, reduces waste, and provides energy-efficient operation by allowing individual control over temperature and humidity in each compartment, enhancing food safety and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

an induction heating element positioned on a top portion of the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 2

a climate control system associated with each compartment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefrigeration: Cooling

Data Source

PatentUS20210345458A1Integrated and Compartmentalized System and Method for Food Storage and Processing

Publication Date: 2021.11.04 PALMER LLC

AI summary

A system is provided that offers climate control, and optionally other processing, in separated compartments that hold items in removable and/or lockable containers that may be individually climate-controlled. In addition to these basic functions, the system can integrate functions for notifying users of important events. Examples include, but are not limited to, sensor readings that indicate spoiled food, temperature changes outside a desired range, containers not opened or removed within a predetermined time period, etc. Different processing options for items stored in the compartments may be integrated into the system. Examples of advanced processing include, but are not limited to, heating (thawing, cooking), pressurizing or depressurizing containers, physical movement of items (vibrating, turning content in the container), etc.