Smart Refrigerator UV Sterilization with Wireless User Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators with UV light sources for sterilization lack user control over operation time, intensity, and intervals, and do not ensure efficient sterilization due to inadequate packaging space, potentially leading to incomplete disinfection and energy inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A smart refrigerator with a UV light source, controlled by a user-adjustable control unit and wireless communication module, allowing users to customize UV light source operation via a mobile device, equipped with sensors to monitor food quantity and quality, ensuring optimal disinfection without unnecessary energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UV light source is continuously operated to sterilize foodstuffs, then the sterilization effectiveness is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV light source operates periodically rather than continuously. The control unit activates the UV light source for specific time intervals based on stored operation time data, achieving effective sterilization while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit uses stored operational data and user preferences to intelligently control UV light source activation. The system monitors and adjusts operation timing based on accumulated data, optimizing the balance between sterilization effectiveness and energy consumption.
2Device complexity
If the UV light source operation time and intensity are fixed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different user needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system transitions from fixed parameters to dynamic, user-adjustable parameters. Users can modify operation time, intensity, and scheduling through the wireless communication interface, allowing the system to adapt to different sterilization needs without increasing physical hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows users to change operational parameters (time, intensity, scheduling) through software configuration rather than hardware modification. The control unit stores and applies these parameter changes, providing versatility while maintaining simple device architecture.
3Ease of operation
If the UV light source operates without user control, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of information about operational status worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication module provides real-time feedback to users about UV light source operational status, accumulated operation time, and current settings. This maintains automatic operation convenience while eliminating information loss through transparent communication of system state.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication module acts as an intermediary between the control unit and the user's mobile device. It transmits operational status information and user commands, bridging the gap between automatic system operation and user awareness/control.
4Reliability
If the UV light source intensity is increased to ensure thorough sterilization, then the sterilization effectiveness is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV light source intensity becomes a dynamic, user-adjustable parameter rather than a fixed high setting. Users can select appropriate intensity levels based on their specific sterilization needs, achieving effective sterilization at lower energy consumption when high intensity is not required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows modification of UV light source intensity parameters through user input. The control unit adjusts the operational parameters based on user preferences and stored data, optimizing the balance between sterilization effectiveness and energy consumption for different scenarios.
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 users to efficiently manage UV light source operations based on their needs, ensuring thorough food sterilization while minimizing energy use by providing real-time feedback and adaptive control, ensuring user safety and effective disinfection.
Implementation Method 1
at least one UV light source (4) which is disposed in the compartment (3) and which sterilizes the foodstuffs loaded into the compartment (3)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a refrigerator (1) comprising a body (2); a compartment (3) which is disposed in the body (2) and wherein the foodstuffs are placed; and at least one UV light source (4) which is disposed in the compartment (3) and which sterilizes the foodstuffs loaded into the compartment (3), wherein the refrigerator further comprises a control unit which controls the operational parameters of the UV light source such as intensity, time, etc., and a wireless communication module which communicates with the control unit so as to convey the operational parameters of the sterilization process of the UV light source to the user via a mobile device.