Vegetable Preservation Box with Nutrient Circulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Common refrigerators cannot maintain the freshness and taste of vegetables for an extended period, as they only delay putrefaction for a short time and do not support a growth-retarded state for long-term preservation.

Innovation Solution

A vegetable preservation and growing box with a thermal insulation compartment that circulates a nutrient solution and regulates temperature, humidity, and illumination to maintain a growth-retarded state, ensuring the vegetables remain fresh for an extended period.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If common refrigerator cold storage technology is used, then vegetable preservation is achieved, but the vegetables can only be preserved for a short time and freshness and taste are not maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepreservation timeVSAvoidfreshness maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the preservation environment from simple cold storage to a controlled ecosystem with regulated temperature, humidity, illumination, and nutrient supply. The system dynamically adjusts these parameters to maintain vegetables in a growth-retarded state, thereby extending preservation time while maintaining freshness and taste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service by enabling vegetables to continue their metabolic processes through automated nutrient solution circulation and environmental control. The system provides continuous care similar to natural growth conditions, allowing vegetables to preserve their freshness autonomously without frequent human intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If refrigerators are used to delay putrefiction, then preservation function is provided, but the putrefiction can be delayed by only a very short time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveputrefiction delayVSAvoidpreservation duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies continuity of useful action through the automated circulation system that continuously supplies nutrient solution and maintains environmental parameters. This continuous care prevents putrefiction by constantly providing fresh nutrients and oxygen, extending preservation duration far beyond traditional refrigerator capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces nutrient solution as an intermediary substance that mediates between the vegetables and the preservation environment. This nutrient-rich medium acts as a buffer against putrefiction by providing continuous metabolic support and creating a protective atmosphere around the vegetables.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If vegetables are stored in conventional refrigerators, then preservation is achieved, but the vegetables cannot stay in a growth-retarded state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrowth state stabilityVSAvoidpreservation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by creating a living, responsive preservation system that adapts to vegetable needs. The automated control system dynamically adjusts temperature, humidity, and nutrient supply based on real-time conditions, maintaining vegetables in a stable growth-retarded state for extended periods rather than relying on static cold storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution effectively extends the preservation time of vegetables by maintaining optimal growth conditions, ensuring maximum freshness and preventing rapid spoilage.

Implementation Method 1

a vegetable carrier is disposed in a thermal insulation box

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3005877B1Vegetable freshness-preservation and growing case and ecological vegetable freshness-preservation method
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 HAIER GROUP CORP
  • EP3005877B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3005877B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3005877B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A ecological vegetable freshness-preservation method and an ecological vegetable freshness-preservation and growing case. The method comprises: a nutrient solution is supplied in a circulated manner to a vegetable in a thermally-insulated case and the temperature, humidity and/or lighting in the thermally-insulated case are adjusted, thus allowing the vegetable in the thermally-insulated case to be in a paused- or slowed-growth state. Employment of the present method and ecological vegetable freshness-preservation and growing case allows the growth state of the vegetable to be controlled, thus ensuring to the greatest extent the freshness of the vegetable.