Nitrogen-Rich Storage Device Using Gas Separator for Food Freshness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage devices for food preservation, such as vacuum bags and compartments, are inconvenient, energy-intensive, and costly, and lack effective solutions for small-scale controlled-atmosphere preservation suitable for home use.
Innovation Solution
A storage device with a gas separator using a controlled-atmosphere membrane to separate oxygen from air, creating a nitrogen-rich atmosphere that reduces aerobic respiration in fruits and vegetables, thereby extending their freshness, and includes a gas extractor to manage air pressure and flow efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vacuum storage compartment is used for freshness preservation, then food freshness is improved, but energy consumption increases and operation convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inert atmosphere preservation by filling the storage compartment with nitrogen gas instead of using vacuum. The nitrogen atmosphere prevents oxidation and microbial growth, preserving food freshness without requiring continuous energy input for vacuum maintenance. This resolves the contradiction by achieving reliable freshness preservation through a passive inert gas environment rather than active vacuum pumping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts oxygen from the storage compartment atmosphere by introducing nitrogen gas, which displaces oxygen and creates an oxygen-deficient environment. This extraction of the harmful component (oxygen) achieves freshness preservation without needing continuous energy input, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining food quality.
2Reliability
If vacuum storage compartment is used for freshness preservation, then food freshness is improved, but operation convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By using nitrogen-filled inert atmosphere instead of vacuum, the storage compartment can be opened and closed without requiring strong sealing forces or special evacuation procedures. Users can easily access food items without struggling against vacuum pressure, significantly improving operation convenience while maintaining freshness through the inert nitrogen environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes oxygen from the compartment atmosphere and replaces it with nitrogen, creating an environment that is both fresh-preserving and user-friendly. The nitrogen atmosphere does not create suction forces that would make opening difficult, thus improving ease of operation compared to vacuum systems.
3Reliability
If conventional nitrogen generation equipment is used for controlled-atmosphere preservation, then oxygen removal effectiveness is improved, but device size increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a compact, inexpensive nitrogen generation device that produces nitrogen on-demand rather than using large-scale conventional nitrogen generation equipment. This smaller device suffices for household storage needs, achieving effective oxygen removal while keeping the device size and cost appropriate for consumer applications rather than industrial warehousing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the scale and operational parameters of the nitrogen generation system from large-scale industrial equipment to a compact household version. By adjusting the generation capacity to match smaller storage volumes, the device achieves sufficient oxygen removal effectiveness for home use without the excessive size and cost of conventional large-scale equipment.
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 device provides a convenient, energy-efficient, and cost-effective means of preserving food freshness by reducing oxygen levels in storage compartments, preventing anaerobic respiration, and maintaining a nitrogen-rich atmosphere for long-term preservation.
Implementation Method 1
the gas separator is configured to separate more oxygen than nitrogen from the part of air by means of the controlled-atmosphere membrane to form oxygen-rich gas
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a storage device, including: a box body, a gas separator, and a gas extractor, wherein the gas extractor is communicated with the gas separator. The storage device of the present invention may form a nitrogen-rich and oxygen-deficient atmosphere beneficial to food freshness preservation.