Subcooling Control With Variable Electromagnetic Field Intensity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling apparatuses face inefficiencies in achieving a subcooling state for cooling target objects due to the need for variable electromagnetic or electric field intensities, which are often set with a safety margin, leading to increased power consumption and potential freezing in the maximum ice crystal production zone, causing tissue damage and quality deterioration.

Innovation Solution

A cooling apparatus comprising a refrigeration machine, a generator for creating a variable electromagnetic or electric field, and a controller that adjusts the field intensity based on the object's temperature and temperature change rate to prevent freezing in the maximum ice crystal production zone, ensuring efficient subcooling with reduced power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If electromagnetic field or electric field is applied to cool the object in subcooling zone, then the time in maximum ice crystal production zone is reduced and tissue damage is suppressed, but power consumption increases due to the need for variable field intensity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime in maximum ice crystal production zoneVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the electromagnetic field or electric field intensity variable rather than constant. The field intensity is dynamically adjusted based on the object's temperature and temperature change rate, allowing the system to optimize power consumption while maintaining effective subcooling and minimizing time in the maximum ice crystal production zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical parameters by adjusting the field intensity according to temperature and temperature change rate. This parameter adjustment allows the system to reduce power consumption while still achieving the desired cooling effect and minimizing tissue damage by reducing time in the critical temperature zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If high intensity electromagnetic field or electric field is used to ensure subcooling, then tissue damage is prevented, but power consumption increases and potential freezing occurs in maximum ice crystal production zone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of tissue damageVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the field intensity parameter dynamically based on temperature and temperature change rate feedback. This allows the system to use high intensity only when necessary to prevent tissue damage, while reducing intensity at other times to minimize power consumption, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control by using temperature and temperature change rate information to adjust field intensity. This feedback mechanism ensures that high field intensity is applied only when needed to prevent tissue damage, while reducing power consumption during other phases of the cooling process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If constant field intensity is used for subcooling, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision of temperature control deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidtemperature control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes field intensity parameters dynamically based on temperature and temperature change rate, improving temperature control precision. Although this increases control system complexity, the patent implements this through programmable control that adjusts parameters based on feedback, achieving precise temperature control while managing complexity through systematic control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 apparatus effectively produces a subcooling state with high efficiency and reduced power consumption, minimizing tissue damage and quality deterioration by dynamically controlling the electromagnetic or electric field intensity, thereby reducing the time in the maximum ice crystal production zone.

Implementation Method 1

a generator (300) which generates an electromagnetic field or an electric field which acts on the cooling target object (M)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic heating: Dielectric Heating

Implementation Method 2

a refrigeration machine (200) which cools the cooling target object (M)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefrigeration cooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP3614079B1Cooling device
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3614079B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3614079B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3614079B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cooling apparatus that cools a cooling target object in a state in which an electromagnetic field or an electric field acts on the cooling target object and that is capable of efficiently causing a subcooling state of the object is provided. The cooling apparatus includes a refrigeration machine to cool an cooling target object, an electromagnetic wave irradiation device to generate an electromagnetic field which acts on the cooling target object and intensity of which is variable, a controller to control operations of the refrigeration machine and the electromagnetic wave irradiation device and perform a subcooling operation of cooling the cooling target object by using the refrigeration machine in a state in which the electromagnetic field is generated, and a temperature sensor to measure a temperature of the cooling target object. In the subcooling operation, the controller controls the intensity of the electromagnetic field generated by the electromagnetic wave irradiation device in accordance with the temperature measured by the temperature sensor.