Refrigerator Storage Container Pressure Cycling for Vegetable Freshness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators with vacuum preservation systems face issues of increased energy costs due to continuous vacuum pump operation and spoilage of vegetables and fruits due to transpiration, as they maintain a constant low air pressure which can lead to dryness and reduced freshness.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator with an air pressure controllable storage container that periodically reduces and restores internal air pressure using a vacuum pump, allowing user-selectable control modes and displaying the air pressure state, thereby extending vacuum pump lifespan and reducing energy consumption while maintaining optimal freshness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vacuum pump operates continuously to maintain low air pressure in the storage container, then the freshness of stored vegetables is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum pump operates periodically rather than continuously. The controller activates the vacuum pump at predetermined time intervals to temporarily reduce air pressure in the storage container, then turns it off to allow pressure to return to atmospheric levels. This periodic operation maintains vegetable freshness through repeated pressure reduction cycles while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the vacuum pump operates continuously to maintain low air pressure, then transpiration of vegetables is prevented, but the lifespan of the vacuum pump decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic vacuum cycles where the vacuum pump operates for predetermined time intervals to prevent vegetable transpiration, then rests between cycles. This periodic operation reduces cumulative runtime stress on the vacuum pump, extending its operational lifespan while still effectively preventing transpiration during each vacuum phase through temporary pressure reduction.
3Reliability
If constant low air pressure is maintained in the storage container, then vegetable freshness is preserved, but dryness of vegetables increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container experiences periodic pressure cycles rather than constant low pressure. During vacuum phases, low pressure prevents transpiration and maintains freshness. During atmospheric pressure recovery phases, normal pressure allows moisture redistribution and prevents excessive dryness. This alternating pressure regime balances freshness preservation with moisture maintenance, avoiding the continuous dryness caused by constant vacuum conditions.
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 periodic air pressure control effectively prevents transpiration, maintains freshness, and extends vacuum pump lifespan by reducing continuous operation, enhancing user convenience and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
turning on a vacuum pump to control internal air pressure of the storage container to be temporarily lower than initial air pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator having an air pressure controllable storage container (100) is allowed to control air pressure of the storage container (100) to be temporarily lower than initial air pressure by hermetically sealing the storage container (100) and turning on a vacuum pump (200), so as to reduce dryness of vegetables stored in the storage container (100) and maintain optimal freshness of the vegetables. The refrigerator includes a storage container (100) configured to hermetically store fruits or vegetables therein, a vacuum pump (200) configured to suck internal air of the storage container(100), and a controller (300) configured to turn on the vacuum pump (200) such that internal air pressure of the storage container (100) is lower than an initial air pressure, and turn off the vacuum pump (200) such that the internal air pressure is restored to the initial air pressure.