Freshness preservation unit, storage box, and refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fruit and vegetable storage boxes in refrigerators require separate molds for different structures, leading to high manufacturing costs and vulnerability of functional films, necessitating replacement of entire boxes when damaged.
Innovation Solution
A modular freshness preservation unit with a detachable housing and adjustable film placement, featuring a moisture permeation or air-conditioning unit that can be easily assembled, disassembled, and replaced, reducing maintenance costs and improving flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a functional film is added onto the fruit and vegetable box to preserve freshness, then the freshness preservation function is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases due to separate mold requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the functional film directly into the box body structure through integral molding, merging the film and box into a single component. This eliminates the need for separate molds and assembly steps, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining the freshness preservation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal box structure with integrated functional films that can be applied to different fruit and vegetable box configurations. The integral molding approach creates a multi-functional component that serves both structural and freshness preservation purposes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the functional film is formed integrally with the fruit and vegetable box to reduce manufacturing steps, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the maintenance cost increases when the film is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the box structure into separable components, allowing the functional film to be detached and replaced independently from the box body. This segmentation enables easy maintenance and replacement of damaged films without discarding the entire box, reducing long-term maintenance costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables easy replacement of damaged functional films while retaining the box body structure. The separable design allows users to discard only the damaged film component and recover/reuse the box body, reducing waste and maintenance costs compared to integral designs where the entire box must be replaced.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate molds are manufactured for each fruit and vegetable box structure, then the box structure can be customized, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal mold design that can produce multiple box structures by varying assembly configurations rather than requiring separate molds for each design. The standardized components and integral molding approach allow one mold to serve multiple box types, reducing mold manufacturing costs while maintaining structural customization options.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the box into standardized modular components that can be assembled in different configurations. This modular approach allows customization of box structures using the same set of standardized parts and molds, eliminating the need for custom molds for each box variation.
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 modular design allows for efficient preservation of fruits and vegetables with reduced maintenance costs and improved flexibility in placement, enhancing the effectiveness and pertinence of freshness preservation units.
Implementation Method 1
a moisture permeation or air-conditioning unit that can be easily assembled
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a freshness preservation unit for a storage box of a refrigerator. At least one through hole is provided on at least one box wall of the storage box. The freshness preservation unit includes a housing wherein an accommodating space is formed. A freshness preservation film is provided in the accommodating space. The housing is provided with a fixing piece which is cooperatable with the box wall of the storage box such that the freshness preservation unit is assembled in the through hole of the storage box in a detachable manner. The freshness preservation unit realizes the functions of freshness preservation and storage for fruits and vegetables, and is assembled in the through hole of the storage box in a detachable manner, convenient to assembly and disassembly, convenient to cleaning and replacement, and low in the maintenance cost.