Refrigerator Storage Container Pressure Regulation Against Excessive Vacuum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator storage containers face challenges in uniformly maintaining internal air pressure, leading to excessive vacuum conditions that affect food freshness and risk system breakdown due to continuous vacuum pump operation.
Innovation Solution
An air pressure adjusting apparatus is installed on the storage container, allowing external air to be introduced when internal pressure falls below a predetermined level, using a movable member and elastic member to regulate pressure and prevent excessive lowering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vacuum pump is continuously operated to maintain predetermined vacuum degree in the storage container, then the vacuum degree is maintained, but the internal air pressure becomes excessively lowered causing harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The air pressure adjusting apparatus uses a pressure sensor to continuously monitor the internal air pressure of the storage container and provides feedback to the control unit. When the pressure drops below a predetermined threshold, the control unit activates the air intake valve to allow external air to enter, thereby restoring the pressure to the optimal range. This closed-loop feedback mechanism prevents excessive vacuum conditions while maintaining reliable vacuum degree.
Solution Approach 2:
The air pressure adjusting apparatus acts as an intermediary between the vacuum pump system and the storage container. It includes an air intake valve that selectively allows external air to enter the storage container when the vacuum degree becomes excessive, thereby mediating the pressure conditions and preventing harmful effects while preserving the beneficial vacuum state.
2Reliability
If the vacuum pump is controlled to maintain predetermined vacuum degree, then vacuum is maintained, but the vacuum pump operates continuously due to system breakdown or errors
Solution Approach 1:
The air pressure adjusting apparatus with pressure sensor and control unit provides continuous monitoring and automated response. When the pressure sensor detects that the internal air pressure has dropped below the predetermined threshold (indicating excessive vacuum), it automatically triggers the air intake valve to open, allowing external air to enter and restore pressure. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for continuous vacuum pump operation and prevents harmful excessive vacuum conditions even if the vacuum pump continues running due to system errors.
3Reliability
If the storage container is sealed to maintain vacuum state, then freshness is improved, but uniform air pressure maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The air pressure adjusting apparatus maintains the sealed environment of the storage container while ensuring uniform air pressure through continuous monitoring by the pressure sensor and automated pressure regulation. When the sensor detects pressure deviations, the control unit activates the air intake valve to restore pressure, thereby maintaining both the sealed freshness-preserving environment and uniform air pressure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The air pressure adjusting apparatus enables the storage container to self-regulate its internal air pressure. The pressure sensor continuously monitors the pressure conditions, and when the pressure drops below the predetermined threshold, the system automatically opens the air intake valve to allow external air to enter, restoring the pressure without requiring external intervention. This self-service mechanism ensures uniform air pressure maintenance while preserving the sealed environment for freshness.
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
This solution ensures uniform internal air pressure is maintained, preventing spoilage and container damage from excessive pressure drops, ensuring optimal storage conditions for freshness and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a movable member (110) installed in the casing and movable up and down, to selectively close and open the through hole (103) based on a difference between internal air pressure in the storage container (1) and external air pressure
Implementation Method 2
an elastic member (130) fixed between the movable member (110) and the supporting member (150)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator having an air pressure adjusting apparatus (100) for a storage container (1), and more particularly, a refrigerator having an air pressure adjusting apparatus (100) for a storage container (1), capable of uniformly maintaining internal air pressure of the storage container (1) by increasing the internal air pressure by way of an introduction of external air when the internal air pressure is excessively lowered and also preventing damages of the storage container (1). The refrigerator includes a storage container (1) having an inner accommodating space and installed to be drawn out of and inserted into the refrigerator, and an air pressure adjusting apparatus (100) to allow external air to be introduced into the storage container (1) based on internal air pressure of the storage container (1), so as to increase the internal air pressure.