Refrigerator Ethylene Absorber Control for Produce Ripening
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Domestic and professional refrigerators require more complex ethylene concentration control to manage produce ripening effectively, as users may have limited knowledge and the systems need to handle diverse food types, unlike industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
A produce ripening control system with an ethylene absorber that can operate in both absorption and desorption modes, coupled with a recirculation circuit and control unit, allowing for selective ethylene management based on user needs and produce types, and temperature adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If an ethylene absorber is used to control ethylene concentration in a refrigerator storage chamber, then produce ripening can be delayed, but the system lacks flexibility to accelerate ripening when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The ethylene absorber is designed to dynamically switch between absorption mode (at lower temperatures) and desorption mode (at higher temperatures). This dynamic operation allows the system to adapt between delaying ripening (absorption mode) and accelerating ripening (desorption mode), resolving the contradiction between extending shelf life and providing ripening control flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the ethylene absorber by adjusting temperature. At lower temperatures, the absorber operates in absorption mode to delay ripening. At higher temperatures, it switches to desorption mode to accelerate ripening. This parameter-based control provides both shelf life extension and ripening acceleration capabilities.
2Productivity
If a recirculation circuit is added to circulate air through the ethylene absorber, then ethylene control efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation circuit merges the air circulation function with the ethylene control function. The same air circulation pathway is used both for cooling the storage chamber and for passing air through the ethylene absorber. This integration improves ethylene control efficiency without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculation circuit serves multiple functions: it circulates air for temperature control, passes air through the ethylene absorber for gas concentration control, and enables both absorption and desorption modes. This multi-functionality improves productivity while keeping the added complexity manageable.
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 system provides versatility and flexibility in managing produce ripening, extending shelf life when needed and accelerating ripening as required, improving produce management efficiency without harmful chemicals.
Implementation Method 1
an ethylene absorber adapted to selectively operate in an absorption mode and in a desorption mode
Implementation Method 2
when the absorber operates in desorption mode, ethylene is desorbed and a second, opposite, ripening effect (i.e. produce ripening acceleration) is obtained
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator (1) includes a storage chamber (12) for produce storage and a produce ripening control system (10). The produce ripening control system (10) includes an ethylene absorber (18) adapted to operate in absorption mode in a first status and in desorption mode in a second status. A recirculation circuit (20) is configured to fluidly connect the absorber (18) with the storage chamber (12) and to draw air from the storage chamber (12), to flow the drawn air through the absorber (18) and to return it into the storage chamber (12). A control unit (30) configured to selectively operate the absorber either in the absorption mode for ethylene absorption or in the desorption mode for ethylene desorption.