refrigerator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food safety detection systems are often independent, inconvenient to store, and occupy valuable space in refrigerators, leading to poor user experience and compromised heat insulation performance.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a microfluidic detection system within the refrigerator door, allowing for pesticide residue, nutritional element, and breast milk testing without occupying storage space, featuring a sample stage exposed through a hollow window for convenient operation without opening the door, and simplified assembly/disassembly via structural and electrical connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an independent detection system is provided, then food safety detection function is achieved, but storage space is occupied and heat insulation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefood safety detection functionVSAvoidstorage space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The detection system is merged with the refrigerator door structure. The detection chamber is integrated into the door body, and the detection system shares the refrigerator's power supply and control systems. This combining approach allows the detection function to be achieved without occupying additional storage space within the refrigerator compartment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The detection system is relocated from the internal storage space to the door structure, utilizing a different spatial dimension. The detection chamber is positioned in the door body rather than inside the refrigeration compartment, effectively moving the detection function to another spatial plane and avoiding storage space occupation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of stationary object

If detection system is integrated in refrigerator door, then storage space is preserved, but operation convenience may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidoperation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The operation interface of the detection system is positioned at a locally convenient position on the door, within easy reach of the user. The sample injection port and operation panel are arranged on the outer surface of the door, allowing users to operate the detection system without opening the refrigerator or reaching into the storage space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

A sample injection port is provided as an intermediary interface between the user and the detection chamber. The port allows sample introduction through the door structure without requiring the user to open the refrigerator or directly access the detection chamber, maintaining operational convenience while preserving storage space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If door opening frequency increases for detection operations, then operation convenience is improved, but heat insulation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation convenienceVSAvoidheat insulation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The sample injection port serves as an intermediary that enables sample introduction without opening the door. This mediator allows the detection operation to be performed through the closed door structure, eliminating the need to open the door for sampling and thus preventing energy loss and maintaining heat insulation performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4206588B1refrigerator
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 QINDAO HAIER REFRIGERATOR CO LTD
  • EP4206588B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4206588B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4206588B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A refrigerator, comprising: a refrigerator body internally defining a storage space for storing articles, a door body connected to the refrigerator body and used for opening and/or closing the storage space, and a microfluidic detection system which is provided on the door and comprises: a microfluidic biochip having a sample inlet, a connection port, and a detection cell formed in the microfluidic biochip, the sample inlet, the detection cell, and the connection port being connected in sequence by means of a microfluidic channel to allow a sample fluid in contact with the sample inlet to enter the microfluidic channel and flow into the detection cell by means of the microfluidic channel; and a detection mechanism used for detecting the detection cell after the sample fluid in the detection cell reacts with a detection reagent in the detection cell to obtain preset detection parameters of the sample fluid, such that not only are operations by users more convenient, but the original storage space in the refrigerator body is not occupied, and the storage capacity of the refrigerator itself is not affected.