Hermetic Fridge Storage Compartment With Mechanical Vacuum Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration appliances require complex and costly pump devices to generate and release vacuum pressure for opening airtight storage compartments, making the process cumbersome and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical ventilation device using an elastic wall section that reduces compartment volume to create overpressure, allowing air to escape through a valve lip, and returns to normal volume to reseal, allowing intuitive venting with a compressive force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If complex pump devices are used to generate and release vacuum pressure, then the storage compartment can be opened, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex vacuum pump device from the system and replaces it with a simple elastic membrane mechanism. The elastic membrane is integrated into the storage compartment structure, allowing users to vent the compartment by simply pressing on it, eliminating the need for separate pump devices and complex vacuum release mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic membrane automatically performs the venting function when pressed by the user. The membrane's elasticity provides the necessary force to open the valve and release vacuum pressure without requiring external power sources or complex control systems. The system serves itself through the inherent mechanical properties of the elastic material.
2Ease of operation
If separate actuating devices are provided for vacuum generation and release, then the storage compartment can be ventilated, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vacuum release function with the storage compartment structure itself. The elastic membrane is integrated into the compartment wall, and the valve mechanism is merged with the membrane assembly. This single integrated structure performs both sealing and venting functions, eliminating the need for separate actuating devices and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic membrane serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural component of the storage compartment wall, provides the sealing function, and serves as the actuating mechanism for venting. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components and reduces overall system complexity and manufacturing cost.
3Reliability
If the storage compartment is kept airtight, then the sealing performance is improved, but the user effort required to open the compartment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic sealing approach where the elastic membrane can change its state between sealed and vented. The membrane's elasticity allows it to dynamically adapt to pressure differences, maintaining airtight sealing during normal operation but easily deforming under user pressure to release the vacuum and enable opening. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between maintaining strong sealing and enabling easy opening.
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 and efficient venting of storage compartments with a single movement, reducing user effort and manufacturing costs while maintaining airtight sealing.
Implementation Method 1
The mechanical ventilation device can be formed by an elastic wall section that can be pressed in
Implementation Method 2
an overpressure is built up in the storage compartment
Implementation Method 3
If the elastic wall section is released again, the elastic wall section returns to its initial position
Implementation Method 4
a negative pressure is built up in the storage compartment
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a refrigeration appliance, especially a domestic refrigeration appliance (1), which comprises a carcass (2) having an interior (3) that can be refrigerated, a door leaf (4) provided for opening and closing the interior (3) and supported by the carcass (2) and a storage compartment arranged in the interior (3) which storage compartment can be hermetically closed. The invention is characterized by a mechanical aeration device (9) which can be actuated by a pressure acting upon the storage compartment (6) for deaerating and/or aerating the storage compartment (6).