Refrigeration Appliance Climate Control for Meat Dry-Curing and Aging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigeration appliances lack the ability to assist in the aging process of specific items like meat effectively, particularly in controlling climate conditions for optimal aging and storage.

Innovation Solution

A refrigeration appliance with a control facility that sets and manages storage climate parameters such as temperature, air speed, and humidity, allowing for predefined climate phases for drying, aging, and storage, including independent ventilation control to maintain specific conditions for meat aging and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional refrigeration appliances are used for storing meat, then the meat can be kept refrigerated, but the aging process cannot be effectively assisted or controlled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to assist aging processVSAvoidclimate control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage area is divided into multiple climate zones with different parameters. A first climate phase (aging phase) with temperature of 0°C to 4°C and a second climate phase (storage phase) with temperature below 0°C are established separately. This segmentation allows the aging process to be assisted effectively while maintaining simple control through distinct, predefined climate regions rather than complex continuous adjustment systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple climate phases are implemented for meat treatment, then optimal tenderness and freshness can be achieved, but the control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeat quality controlVSAvoidclimate phase control system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control facility is pre-programmed with multiple climate phases including an aging phase with specific temperature and humidity parameters, followed by a storage phase with different parameters. These phases are prepared in advance and automatically executed in sequence, ensuring reliable meat quality control without requiring complex real-time decision-making systems. The user simply selects the desired phase sequence, and the system handles the complex transitions automatically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If independent ventilation control is implemented for aging and storage areas, then specific climate conditions can be maintained, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent climate control capabilityVSAvoidventilation control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different ventilation rates and air circulation patterns are applied to different climate zones within the storage area. The aging zone receives controlled ventilation with specific air exchange rates to maintain optimal conditions for enzymatic activity, while the storage zone has different ventilation characteristics suited for long-term preservation. This local differentiation achieves high adaptability for specific climate control while keeping the overall system manageable through zone-based rather than fully integrated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If temperature and humidity are precisely controlled for aging, then meat tenderness improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaging process effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption for climate control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The refrigeration system operates in periodic cycles, alternating between active cooling periods and idle periods. During the aging phase, the system maintains precise temperature and humidity control through regulated-on compressor operation. During transitions between climate phases or when thermal mass is sufficient, the system enters idle periods with reduced energy consumption. This periodic operation pattern ensures reliable aging process effectiveness while significantly reducing average energy consumption compared to continuous precise control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Enables precise control of the aging process for meat, ensuring optimal tenderness and freshness by allowing for multiple climate phases, maintaining quality and extending the shelf life of meat products.

Implementation Method 1

a storage climate parameter comprises a temperature in the storage area... setting a storage climate of a storage climate type aging for aging food

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAging process: Fermentation

Implementation Method 2

a storage climate parameter relates to an air speed in the storage area... conditions for switching the ventilation facility on and off

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS10524484B2Refrigeration appliance which supports the curing process of refrigerated goods, in particular of meat

Publication Date: 2020.01.07 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

AI summary

A refrigeration appliance includes a storage area for refrigerated goods and a control facility or unit for controlling a storage climate in the storage area by using storage climate parameters. One storage climate parameter is a temperature in the storage area. Another storage climate parameter relates to an air speed in the storage area. The refrigeration appliance is used in particular for the dry curing of meat.