Refrigeration appliance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigeration appliances struggle to maintain optimal storage conditions for fresh, moisture-releasing foods, as existing technologies either promote dehydration or encourage microbial growth due to inadequate humidity and temperature control.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration device with a closure element that allows temperature and moisture exchange, controlled by a unit regulating air flow based on humidity and temperature, ensuring air circulation speeds do not exceed 2 m/s and incorporating features like evaporators for cooling and dehumidification, and a modular container design for convenient handling and reduced temperature fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If high humidity is maintained to prevent dehydration of fresh foods, then moisture loss is reduced, but microbial growth is strongly promoted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different humidity zones within the storage chamber. The container can be operated in two modes: sealed mode for high local humidity to prevent dehydration, and vented mode for lower humidity to inhibit microbial growth. This allows each storage location to have optimized humidity conditions for different food types and storage stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by allowing the container's sealing state to change between sealed and vented configurations. The closure element can be dynamically adjusted based on food type, storage duration, and humidity sensor readings, enabling transition between high humidity (sealed) and lower humidity (vented) modes to balance dehydration prevention with microbial control.
2Temperature
If air circulation is increased to cool the storage chamber, then temperature control is improved, but dehydration of moisture-releasing foods accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a localized microclimate within the container that is isolated from the main storage chamber airflow. When sealed, the container maintains its own humidity environment independent of the circulating air in the storage chamber, allowing temperature control without forced dehydration.
Solution Approach 2:
The container acts as an intermediary barrier between the circulating air system and the stored food. The closure element mediates the interaction between chamber airflow and container contents, allowing selective isolation to prevent dehydration while still enabling thermal regulation through the container walls.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the closure element is opened to release moist air and prevent condensation, then condensation is avoided, but dehydration of food contents increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using humidity sensors to monitor conditions within the container and automatically control the closure element and fan operation. When humidity reaches critical levels that would cause condensation, the system responds by adjusting the closure state or increasing air circulation, preventing condensation while minimizing moisture loss through controlled opening events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies periodic action through intermittent fan operation and controlled closure opening. Instead of continuous opening, the system uses periodic brief openings or intermittent fan activation to release excess moisture and prevent condensation, thereby reducing total exposure time and minimizing overall dehydration compared to continuous opening.
4Temperature
If fan-driven air circulation is used to control temperature and humidity, then climate control is improved, but airflow velocity may exceed 2 m/s causing further dehydration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a protected low-velocity zone within the container. The closure element isolates the food contents from high-velocity circulating airflow, maintaining a local environment where airflow velocity remains below 2 m/s even when the main chamber fan operates at higher speeds, thus preventing fan-induced dehydration.
Solution Approach 2:
The container with its closure element serves as an intermediary that filters and moderates the airflow reaching the food. It allows beneficial temperature control from chamber circulation while blocking harmful high-velocity direct airflow that would cause dehydration, effectively mediating between climate control needs and moisture preservation.
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
This solution maintains a stable and optimal climate within the storage compartment, minimizing dehydration and microbial growth, thereby extending the shelf life of fresh foods while preventing condensation and maintaining food quality.
Implementation Method 1
The path of the airflow driven by the fan can lead over an evaporator in order to cool and/or dehumidify the circulating air at the evaporator
Implementation Method 2
the path of the airflow driven by the fan can lead over an evaporator in order to cool and/or dehumidify the circulating air
Implementation Method 3
A fan 17 is arranged in the storage compartment 3, which drives an airflow along a path leading through the container 4
Implementation Method 4
The container 4 comprises an insulation layer 4I
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
In a refrigeration appliance, particularly a household refrigeration appliance, having a storage space (4) for cooled material, at least one passage (13) for the flow of air into and out of the storage space (4) is formed in a wall delimiting the storage space (4). A fan (17) drives an air flow. A moveable closure element (14; 49) between the fan (17) and the storage space (4) is arranged at the passage (13), which closure element in the open position allows a flow of air driven by said fan (17) to circulate in the storage space (4) and in the closed position guides the flow of air driven by the fan (17) through a duct (44) running along one outer side of a wall of the storage space (4).