Refrigerator Cooling/Heating Chamber with Zone-Selective Thawing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators require moving foods not intended for thawing from the high-frequency heating chamber, which is inefficient and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator with a cooling/heating chamber divided into a heating zone and a non-heating zone, equipped with a heating module featuring an oscillation electrode and counter electrode that applies AC voltage for zone-specific heating, allowing only intended foods to be thawed without relocating others.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single high-frequency heating chamber is used for thawing foods, then the heating function is simple to implement, but foods not intended for thawing must be moved out, reducing convenience and increasing operation time
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling/heating chamber is divided into a heating zone and a non-heating zone, allowing selective thawing of foods in the heating zone while other foods remain frozen in the non-heating zone, eliminating the need to move foods
Solution Approach 2:
The heating function is applied locally to specific regions (heating zone) rather than the entire chamber, enabling targeted thawing of specific foods while maintaining frozen state in other areas through the non-heating zone
2Power
If the entire cooling/heating chamber is used for heating, then the heating capacity is maximized, but foods that should remain frozen cannot be preserved, reducing food storage flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The chamber is segmented into heating and non-heating zones, allowing the heating function to be activated only in the heating zone while the non-heating zone maintains frozen conditions, thus preserving both heating capacity and storage flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
Different thermal properties are applied to different zones: the heating zone receives high-frequency heating while the non-heating zone remains thermally isolated, enabling simultaneous heating and freezing preservation in the same chamber
3Ease of operation
If a zone heating system is implemented, then selective heating of specific foods is enabled, but the device structure becomes more complex with additional electrodes and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The heating module uses segmented electrode arrangements (oscillation electrode and counter electrode positioned to create specific heating zones) to achieve selective heating without requiring completely separate heating systems for each zone
Solution Approach 2:
The same heating module with oscillation and counter electrodes serves multiple functions: it can heat the entire chamber or selectively heat specific zones by controlling the activation and positioning of electrodes, reducing the need for multiple dedicated 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 efficient and convenient thawing of specific foods within the cooling/heating chamber without disturbing non-intended foods, maintaining their frozen state.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit having: an oscillation electrode arranged on a ceiling part of the heating zone, a counter electrode arranged on a bottom part of the heating zone so as to face the oscillation electrode in a top-bottom direction, and an oscillating unit that applies an AC voltage to between the oscillation electrode and the counter electrode during execution of a zone heating operation
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cooling/heating chamber capable of cooling and heating foods. The cooling/heating chamber is divided into a heating zone that is a space where foods to be heated are placed, and a non-heating zone that is a space continuous with the heating zone where foods not to be heated are placed. The refrigerator further includesan oscillation electrode and a counter electrode that are arranged so as to face each other with the heating zone in between, and an oscillating unit that applies an AC voltage to between the oscillation electrode and the counter electrode.