Movable UV Lighting in Refrigerators for Uniform Sanitization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators often suffer from poor sanitation due to bacterial growth and unpleasant odors, which can spread across stored foods through cold air circulation, leading to a compromised sanitary condition within the storage compartment.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a UV or AOP lighting source within the storage compartment, controlled by a location and operation control system, to generate sanitation wavelengths, ensuring effective sanitation of foods, internal air, and the compartment's inner surfaces, while reducing power consumption through selective operation based on food introduction or temperature changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple lighting sources are used to sanitize broad storage compartment areas uniformly, then sanitation effectiveness is improved, but power consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable lighting source that can dynamically change its position within the storage compartment. This single lighting source replaces multiple fixed sources by moving to different locations to sanitize various areas uniformly, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining sanitation effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The single lighting source is designed to perform multiple sanitation functions across different areas of the storage compartment by changing its position. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple dedicated lighting sources, reducing both power consumption and device complexity while achieving uniform sanitation coverage
2Reliability
If multiple lighting sources are deployed to sanitize the storage compartment, then sanitation coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a movable lighting source that can be positioned at different locations within the storage compartment. This dynamic positioning system replaces the need for multiple fixed lighting sources, simplifying the device structure while ensuring comprehensive sanitation coverage through strategic movement
Solution Approach 2:
The sanitation process is segmented into multiple positional stages, where the single lighting source visits different areas sequentially. This temporal segmentation of the sanitation function allows one lighting source to achieve what would traditionally require multiple simultaneous sources, reducing device complexity
3Reliability
If lighting sources operate continuously to maintain sanitation, then sanitation effectiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sanitation cycles where the movable lighting source operates at intervals rather than continuously. The control unit activates the lighting source to move through and sanitize different areas periodically, maintaining sanitation effectiveness while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary sanitation actions during specific periods (such as when the refrigerator is not in use or during off-peak hours), preparing and maintaining sanitation conditions in advance. This allows the lighting source to operate intermittently rather than continuously, reducing energy consumption while maintaining sanitation standards
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 solution effectively sanitizes foods and maintains the storage compartment clean, reduces power consumption by using fewer lighting sources, and ensures uniform sanitation of broad areas, thereby enhancing the overall sanitary condition and reducing bacterial growth.
Implementation Method 1
a UV or AOP lighting source within the storage compartment, controlled by a location and operation control system, to generate sanitation wavelengths
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a case having at least one storage compartment for low temperature storage, a lighting source arranged in the at least one storage compartment to generate a sanitation wavelength, a location controller configured to control a location of the lighting source, and a controller configured to control operation of the location controller.