Low-temperature storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Low-temperature storage systems, such as refrigerators and freezers, 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 temperature based on door opening/closing frequency, switching between a primary and secondary temperature setting, where the secondary temperature is higher than the primary temperature, reducing power consumption during periods of low usage while maintaining preservation quality.
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 temperature setting adjustable and variable based on door opening frequency. The system dynamically switches between a first temperature (lower, for frequent access) and a second temperature (higher, for infrequent access) based on detected door opening patterns, allowing the storage conditions to adapt to actual usage requirements rather than maintaining a fixed low temperature at all times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter based on door opening frequency detection. When the door opening frequency falls below a threshold, the system changes the temperature parameter from the first temperature to the second temperature, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining preservation quality when actual access is minimal.
2Reliability
If the set temperature is lowered to ensure preservation quality, then preservation quality is maintained, but unnecessary energy is consumed during low usage periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by detecting door opening frequency and using this information to adjust the temperature setting. The control unit monitors door openings over a predetermined period, compares the frequency against a threshold, and automatically adjusts the temperature accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that responds to actual usage patterns and eliminates unnecessary energy consumption during low-usage periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the temperature parameter based on real-time door opening frequency detection, transitioning between different temperature states to match actual preservation needs, thereby avoiding continuous operation at the lowest temperature setting regardless of usage.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the door opening frequency is low, then power consumption can be reduced by raising temperature, but preservation quality may be compromised if temperature is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of door opening frequency over a predetermined period before making temperature adjustments. This preliminary monitoring phase allows the system to accurately determine whether the storage is in a low-usage state, ensuring that temperature increases only occur when preservation quality can be maintained, thus preventing compromised preservation while enabling energy savings.
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 adjusting the temperature to a higher setting during low usage periods, thereby minimizing unnecessary energy expenditure while ensuring the preservation quality of refrigerated items.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling mechanism configured to cool an interior of the accommodating portion
Implementation Method 2
a thermally insulated casing including an accommodating portion insulated from external air
Data Source
AI summary
A low-temperature storage includes: a thermally-insulating casing including an accommodating portion accommodating an item to be refrigerated; a door to be closed in a manner capable of opening/closing the portion; a cooling mechanism cooling an interior thereof; a temperature-detecting unit measuring a temperature in the portion; an opening/closing-detecting unit detecting a door open/close state; and a control unit including a temperature-adjusting unit controlling the cooling mechanism so that the temperature reaches a target temperature, first- and second-temperature-storing units storing first and second temperatures, respectively, a target-temperature-setting unit setting the target temperature at the first temperature when the opening/closing-detecting unit detects that the door has changed from an open to closed state, and thereafter, setting the target temperature at the second temperature, and a control-information-setting unit setting the first or second temperatures, and when a difference therebetween is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, outputting information indicating as such.