Refrigerator Handle Air Sampling for Accurate Food Spoilage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators lack an effective method to detect spoilage in foods without visible signs, as users rely on surface inspection and odor, which can be unreliable, and existing solutions using sensors are not adequately precise.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring an air duct with sensors inside the handle to measure gas concentration, a vacuum pump, filter, and temperature/humidity sensors, which allows for accurate detection of spoilage gases like ethylene, ethanol, and trimethylamine, using correction factors and a control unit to determine the freshness of stored foods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gas sensors are used to detect spoilage in the storage compartment, then spoilage detection capability is improved, but measurement precision is insufficient and false detections occur
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is extracted from the storage compartment environment and relocated to the handle. The air duct extracts air samples from the storage compartment and delivers them to the sensor chamber in the handle, isolating the sensors from harmful environmental factors such as humidity, temperature fluctuations, and solid particles that cause false readings.
Solution Approach 2:
An air duct system acts as an intermediary between the storage compartment and the sensors. The duct transports air samples to the sensor chamber, while a filter serves as a mediator to remove contaminants before air reaches the sensors, ensuring accurate gas concentration measurements without direct sensor exposure to harsh conditions.
2Reliability
If sensors are placed directly in the storage compartment to measure gas concentration, then detection sensitivity is improved, but the sensors are exposed to harmful factors such as humidity, temperature changes, and solid particles
Solution Approach 1:
The sensors are extracted from the storage compartment environment and relocated to the handle, where they are protected from harmful factors. The air sampling system extracts only the necessary gas components while excluding moisture, temperature extremes, and solid particles from reaching the sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The air duct and filter system serve as intermediaries that protect the sensors. The filter specifically mediates by blocking solid particles and excess moisture while allowing gas molecules to pass through to the sensors, enabling sensitive detection without direct exposure to harmful environmental factors.
3Productivity
If a vacuum pump is used to extract air from the storage container, then air sampling efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle serves multiple functions: it provides the structural support for mounting the vacuum pump, sensors, and filter; it houses the air duct connections; and it positions the sampling system for optimal access to the storage container. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite adding the vacuum pump.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum pump, sensors, filter, and air duct system are merged into a single integrated assembly mounted on the handle. This consolidation improves air sampling efficiency while minimizing the increase in system complexity by combining multiple components into one coordinated unit rather than separate distributed systems.
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 detection of spoilage in foods by accurately measuring gas concentrations, providing users with real-time information on the freshness and spoilage status of stored items through an indicator, ensuring safe storage and consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump that is arranged on the handle, that is connected to the suction port and that vacuums the air inside the storage container
Implementation Method 2
a filter that is disposed between the sensors and the vacuum pump and that enables the air vacuumed from the storage container to be filtered before being transferred to the sensors. The humidity and solid particles inside the air are retained on the filter
Implementation Method 3
at least one sensor that is disposed inside the air duct and that measures the gas concentration in the air sucked from the storage container
Implementation Method 4
at least one temperature and humidity sensor that is disposed between the sensors and the suction port
Implementation Method 5
at least one temperature and humidity sensor that is disposed between the sensors and the suction port
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a refrigerator (1) comprising a compartment (3) that is suitable to place therein a storage container (2) that preserves foods such as vegetable, fruit, meat, etc, a door (4) that closes the compartment (3) and that allows access into the compartment (3) if required, a handle (5) that is disposed on the door (4) and that provides the opening of the door (4) and sensors (8) that are disposed in the handle (5) and that detect the spoilage status of the foods.