Refrigerator comprising a dielectric heating mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigerators face challenges in uniformly thawing frozen products due to the need for large magnetrons and cooling mechanisms, making downsizing difficult and resulting in inefficient heating processes.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerator design incorporating a dielectric heating mechanism with an oscillation electrode and counter electrode, generating a high-frequency electric field, which allows for uniform thawing and efficient freezing, storage, and thawing of preserved products while enabling downsizing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a magnetron is used for high-frequency generation in a conventional refrigerator, then thawing function is achieved, but the device size becomes large and downsizing is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethawing functionVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the magnetron-based high-frequency generation system with a dielectric heating mechanism using oscillation electrodes and counter electrodes. This substitution eliminates the need for a magnetron, enabling downsizing while maintaining the thawing function through direct high-frequency electric field generation between the electrodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters by using oscillation electrodes with specific dimensions and spacing (interval shorter than the long side dimension of the oscillation electrode). This parameter optimization allows efficient high-frequency power generation at a smaller scale, resolving the contradiction between maintaining thawing effectiveness and reducing device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional heating mechanisms are used, then thawing is achieved, but heating uniformity is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethawing functionVSAvoidheating uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning oscillation electrodes and counter electrodes to create a focused high-frequency electric field directly across the food storage area. This localized field generation ensures uniform heating distribution throughout the food, addressing the heating uniformity issue while maintaining effective thawing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Volume of moving object

If downsizing is implemented in conventional refrigerators, then compact form is achieved, but heating efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidheating efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The oscillation electrode and counter electrode structure serves multiple functions: it generates high-frequency electric fields for thawing, maintains a compact form factor, and ensures efficient energy transfer. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve downsizing without compromising heating efficiency, as the electrodes are optimized for both size and performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 provides reliable cooling, storage, and thawing functions in a compact form, ensuring preserved products can be frozen, stored, and thawed in a desired state efficiently and effectively.

Implementation Method 1

an oscillator that forms high frequency power; and an oscillation electrode and a counter electrode disposed facing each other and connected to the oscillator, the oscillation electrode and the counter electrode receiving the high frequency power from the oscillator to generate a high-frequency electric field in a housing chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHigh frequency power generation:

Implementation Method 2

a storage chamber having a space to store a preserved product; the oscillation electrode and the counter electrode are provided at an interval that is shorter than a long side dimension of the oscillation electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Data Source

PatentUS12130075B2Refrigerator comprising a dielectric heating mechanism

Publication Date: 2024.10.29 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a refrigerator that includes the following: a storage chamber having a space to store a preserved product; an oscillator that forms high frequency power; and oscillation electrode (24) and counter electrode (25) disposed facing each other and connected to the oscillator, oscillation electrode (24) and counter electrode (25) receiving the high frequency power from the oscillator to generate an electric field in the storage chamber. Oscillation electrode (24) and counter electrode (25) are provided at interval H that is shorter than a long side dimension of oscillation electrode (24).