Kimchi Refrigerator Cold Shock Control for Taste Preservation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Kimchi refrigerators fail to maintain the desired taste of Kimchi over a long period due to uncontrolled fermentation and temperature fluctuations, leading to the growth of Lactobacillus, which causes a sour taste and shortens the storage period.
Innovation Solution
A Kimchi refrigerator with a control unit that performs a cold shock operation by cooling the interior to a temperature lower than the keeping temperature at predetermined intervals, while allowing for adjustments based on the amount of Kimchi stored and user input, to restrain Lactobacillus growth and maintain the desired taste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If the refrigerator maintains a constant keeping temperature for long-term storage, then the storage period is extended, but the taste of Kimchi deteriorates due to uncontrolled fermentation and Lactobacillus growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic cold shock operations where the refrigerator temporarily lowers the temperature below the normal keeping temperature at predetermined intervals. This periodic temperature reduction inhibits Lactobacillus growth and fermentation while allowing the Kimchi to be stored for extended periods, thus resolving the contradiction between long-term storage and taste maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically changes the temperature parameter by switching between keeping temperature and lower cold shock temperature at predetermined intervals. This parameter variation allows the system to maintain Kimchi quality by periodically altering the thermal environment to suppress harmful bacterial growth while preserving storage duration
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the refrigerator applies cold shock frequently to prevent Lactobacillus growth, then the taste is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies cold shock periodically at predetermined intervals rather than continuously, which effectively controls Lactobacillus growth while minimizing energy consumption. The periodic operation allows the refrigerator to return to normal keeping temperature between cold shock cycles, reducing overall energy usage compared to continuous cold shock application
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit monitors the storage duration and automatically adjusts the timing of cold shock operations based on predetermined intervals. This feedback mechanism ensures cold shock is applied only when necessary to control fermentation, optimizing the balance between taste maintenance and energy efficiency
3Ease of operation
If the refrigerator door is opened frequently for user access, then usability is improved, but temperature fluctuations cause taste deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The cold shock operation is implemented at predetermined intervals independent of door opening events. This periodic temperature control compensates for temperature fluctuations caused by frequent door openings, maintaining overall temperature stability and preventing taste deterioration while allowing frequent user access
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerator applies cold shock in advance at predetermined intervals to counteract the cumulative effect of temperature fluctuations from frequent door openings. This proactive temperature control prevents taste deterioration before it occurs, cushioning against the adverse effects of improved user accessibility
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 cold shock operation effectively maintains the taste of Kimchi for a longer period by controlling temperature fluctuations and adjusting the frequency of cold shocks according to the amount of Kimchi, thereby preventing the deterioration of taste and quality.
Implementation Method 1
The low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant is transmitted to an evaporator, which is mounted such that the evaporator surrounds the outsides of the storage compartments. The refrigerant is evaporated by the evaporator. As a result, the refrigerant instantaneously takes heat away from the periphery of the refrigerant, and therefore, the storage compartments, in which Kimchi is stored, are cooled.
Implementation Method 2
a control unit to control the cooling system to perform a cold shock operation in which the interior of the refrigerator is cooled to a cold shock temperature lower than a keeping temperature at predetermined time intervals
Data Source
AI summary
A Kimchi refrigerator that applies cold shock to Kimchi stored therein at predetermined time intervals, while a keeping mode is performed, so as to improve the taste of the Kimchi, wherein the time intervals are changed, and a control method of the same are disclosed. The Kimchi refrigerator includes a cooling system to cool the interior of the refrigerator in which Kimchi is stored, and a control unit to control the cooling system to perform a cold shock operation in which the interior of the refrigerator is cooled to a cold shock temperature lower than a keeping temperature at predetermined time intervals, for a predetermined period of time, while a keeping mode is performed. The control unit changes the time intervals.