RF Electric Field Refrigerator for Stable Supercooling Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators using supercooling technology are limited in maintaining contents in a non-frozen state below -5°C, and lack efficient control over energy usage and electrode arrangement for optimal non-frozen storage.
Innovation Solution
A non-freezing refrigerator that generates an electric field using a radio frequency voltage, with a voltage generating unit that sets the magnitude and frequency of the electric field, applied to a storing space through a plurality of electrode pairs, ensuring continuous and stable non-frozen storage by controlling the electric field and cooling cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If supercooling is used to maintain non-frozen state, then contents can be kept below phase transition temperature, but minimum temperature is limited to -5°C
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the electric field by introducing radio frequency voltage (specific frequency range) to modify the supercooling mechanism. This allows the system to maintain non-frozen state at temperatures below -5°C by altering the electromagnetic parameters applied to the contents, thereby extending the operational temperature range while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic radio frequency voltage application to the contents, creating oscillating electric fields that prevent ice crystal formation. This periodic electromagnetic action disrupts the freezing process at molecular level, enabling stable non-frozen maintenance at lower temperatures than conventional continuous DC voltage methods.
2Temperature
If voltage magnitude is varied to control supercooling, then non-frozen state can be maintained, but energy usage is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of voltage magnitude and frequency based on real-time temperature monitoring and load detection. The system adjusts electric field parameters dynamically rather than using fixed settings, optimizing energy consumption by applying minimum necessary voltage while maintaining non-frozen state, thereby reducing power consumption compared to conventional static voltage control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through temperature sensors and control circuits that continuously monitor the contents temperature and adjust the radio frequency voltage output accordingly. This closed-loop control system prevents energy waste by applying voltage only when and where needed to maintain the non-frozen state, significantly improving energy efficiency.
3Power
If metal shelf is isolated from walls by insulators, then electric field can be generated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the storage shelf multi-functional by integrating both storage and electric field generation functions into a single component. The conductive shelf serves as both the support structure for contents and the electrode for generating radio frequency electric fields, eliminating the need for separate insulation structures and high voltage cables, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the shelf structure with the electrode system, combining two previously separate components (storage shelf and electric field generator) into one integrated unit. This consolidation simplifies the overall device architecture by removing insulators, isolation mechanisms, and complex wiring, while the shelf itself becomes the active element for generating the non-frozen state.
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 refrigerator effectively maintains contents in a non-frozen state below the phase transition temperature, optimizing energy usage and stability, and reducing power consumption by adjusting the electric field and cooling cycle based on load and content type.
Implementation Method 1
This technology uses supercooling. Supercooling means that a molten object or a solid cooled below a phase transition temperature in a balanced state is not changed.
Implementation Method 2
a non-freezing refrigerator which can keep the contents in a non frozen state by an electric field generated by a radio frequency voltage
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a non-freezing refrigerator which can keep the contents in a non-frozen state by an electric field. The non-freezing refrigerator includes a setting unit for selecting and setting a magnitude and frequency of a voltage, a generating unit for generating an electric field according to the voltage having the set magnitude and frequency, and applying the electric field to a storing space for storing the contents, and a freezing cycle for cooling the storing space. The contents are kept in the non-frozen state below a phase transition temperature.