Refrigerator UV Illumination Control for Food Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current approaches to using ultraviolet radiation in refrigerators fail to adequately address food life prolongation, disinfection, and ethylene decomposition, as they do not effectively control the direction, intensity, or spectral power of UV radiation to preserve and disinfect stored items without affecting their quality.
Innovation Solution
A system that monitors conditions within a storage area and adjusts the direction, intensity, pattern, and spectral power of ultraviolet radiation using a control system to implement selectable operating configurations for storage life preservation, disinfection, and ethylene decomposition, incorporating ultraviolet radiation sources and a monitoring system to manage these conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultraviolet radiation is applied to disinfect and preserve stored items, then microbial load is reduced and storage life is prolonged, but the quality and nutritional characteristics of the items may be degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the spectral power distribution of UV radiation across different wavelength ranges (UV-A, UV-B, UV-C) to achieve effective disinfection while minimizing quality degradation. The system dynamically modifies intensity, exposure time, and wavelength composition based on monitored microbial load and quality parameters of stored items.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamics through real-time monitoring and adaptive control of UV radiation parameters. The control system continuously adjusts radiation intensity and spectral composition based on feedback from sensors monitoring microbial load, temperature, humidity, and item quality characteristics, transforming a static disinfection process into a dynamic optimization system.
2Productivity
If high intensity ultraviolet radiation is used to reduce microbial load, then disinfection effectiveness increases, but damage to the stored items increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing different UV radiation intensities and spectral compositions to different zones within the storage area. The system creates localized radiation fields tailored to specific needs - higher intensity in areas with high microbial risk, lower intensity near sensitive items - thereby achieving effective disinfection while protecting item quality in a spatially differentiated manner.
3Reliability
If ultraviolet radiation sources are continuously operated to maintain disinfection, then microbial control is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action through cyclic UV radiation treatment schedules alternating with monitoring periods. Instead of continuous operation, the system periodically applies UV radiation at controlled intervals, combining treatment phases with measurement phases to maintain microbial control while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies feedback through a closed-loop control system that continuously monitors microbial load indicators and adjusts UV radiation application accordingly. When microbial levels are below thresholds, radiation intensity is reduced or temporarily suspended; when levels rise, the system increases radiation application, thereby maintaining reliability while optimizing energy consumption through demand-responsive operation.
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 system effectively prolongs the storage life of items, disinfects, and decomposes ethylene, maintaining the quality and nutritional value of stored items by dynamically controlling ultraviolet radiation based on monitored conditions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one ultraviolet radiation source configured to generate ultraviolet radiation directed within the storage area
Implementation Method 2
a transparent region configured to transmit ultraviolet radiation
Implementation Method 3
a reflecting region configured to reflect ultraviolet radiation into the storage area
Data Source
AI summary
Ultraviolet radiation is directed within an area. Items located within the area and/or one or more conditions of the area are monitored over a period of time. Based on the monitoring, ultraviolet radiation sources are controlled by adjusting a direction, an intensity, a pattern, and/or a spectral power of the ultraviolet radiation generated by the ultraviolet radiation source. Adjustments to the ultraviolet radiation source(s) can correspond to one of a plurality of selectable operating configurations including a storage life preservation operating configuration, a disinfection operating configuration, and an ethylene decomposition operating configuration.