A cooling device comprising a food bag vacuuming system, and operation method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food preservation methods, such as vacuum sealing, often require external devices and are not practical for household use, leading to inefficient vacuuming and potential air leaks or bag damage, which can shorten the preservation time of foodstuffs.
Innovation Solution
A vacuuming system integrated into a cooling device with a vacuum chamber, movable plates, and an actuator mechanism that ensures correct bag placement and heat sealing, allowing for efficient and independent vacuuming operations within the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a vacuum pump is used to vacuum a food bag, then the preservation time is prolonged, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vacuum pump, sealing device, and cooling device into an integrated system. The vacuum pump and sealing device are merged into a single vacuum sealing device that can be attached to the cooling device door, eliminating the need for separate external vacuum sealing equipment while achieving both vacuum preservation and cooling functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling device door is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as a structural component of the cooling device, provides mounting for the vacuum sealing device, and enables both cooling and vacuum sealing operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated vacuum sealing equipment.
2Productivity
If the bag mouth is not placed correctly by the user, then the vacuuming operation becomes inefficient, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum sealing device includes a guide structure that preliminarily positions and guides the bag mouth into the correct placement position before vacuuming begins. This preliminary guiding action ensures proper bag positioning without requiring precise manual placement by the user, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and vacuuming efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure acts as an intermediary between the user's bag placement action and the vacuum sealing process. It mediates by automatically adjusting and positioning the bag mouth correctly, eliminating the need for precise manual placement while ensuring efficient vacuuming operation.
3Reliability
If holes are punched in the bag to retain it in place, then the bag can be secured, but the risk of tearing the bag increases
Solution Approach 1:
A retaining structure with retaining protrusions acts as an intermediary between the vacuum sealing device and the bag. Instead of punching holes directly into the bag, the retaining protrusions engage with the bag mouth externally to secure it in place during vacuuming, thereby maintaining bag integrity while ensuring reliable retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical hole-punching system with a retaining structure that uses retaining protrusions to secure the bag. This substitution eliminates the need to puncture the bag material, preserving bag strength while achieving reliable bag retention during the vacuum sealing process.
4Ease of operation
If the refrigerator door is opened to use the vacuum sealing device, then the device can be used, but the temperature in the refrigerator decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum sealing device is merged with the cooling device door, allowing the vacuum sealing function to be performed at the door location. This integration enables users to seal bags without opening the refrigerator compartment, thereby maintaining the internal temperature while providing easy access to the vacuum sealing function.
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 solution enables prolonged food preservation by ensuring airtight sealing and easy operation, reducing the need for external devices and minimizing energy consumption while preventing air leaks and bag damage.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heater (5), which when placed in the vacuuming chamber (S1), is provided so as to extend along the edge of the stationary plate (1) or the movable plate (2) that is close to the opening (S2), and when the mouth of the bag to be vacuumed is placed into the reservoir (14) and the vacuuming operation is completed with the movable plate (2) assuming its closed state, applies heat to the part of the bag left in the heater so that the bag becomes sealed
Data Source
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AI summary
A vacuuming system developed according to the present invention comprises the vacuum pump (S6); the carrier chassis (4); the stationary plate (1); the movable plate (2), being able to move to get close to and away from the stationary plate (1), having a closed state and an open state, and comprising a reservoir (14) in which a vacuuming operation takes plate when it assumes its closed state; the insulation element (6), which when placed in the vacuuming chamber (S1), is provided so as to extend along the edge of the stationary plate (1) and/or the movable plate (2) that is remote to the opening (S2); the heater (5), which when placed in the vacuuming chamber (S1), is provided so as to extend along the edge of the stationary plate (1) or the movable plate (2) that is remote to the opening (S2), and after a vacuuming operation is completed, applies heat to the part of a bag left in the heater so that the bag becomes sealed; the first resilient element (12) provided on the movable plate (2) or stationary plate (1) against the heater (5); and the actuator mechanism effecting the movement of the movable plate (2).