Vegetable Preservation Case with Nutrient Circulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current refrigerator freezing technologies only slow down the decay of vegetables, providing a short-term solution for preservation, and there is a need for a method to maintain vegetables in a stagnant or slow-growing state for longer periods after they are picked and sold.

Innovation Solution

A vegetable preservation and growing case with a thermal insulation body, electric control component, and pipeline system that circulates a nutrient solution, allowing continuous nutrient absorption and maintaining a controlled growing environment, including adjustable lighting and humidity, to keep vegetables in a slow-growing or stagnant state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If refrigerator freezing technologies are used for vegetable preservation, then the decay of vegetables is slowed down, but the preservation time is very short

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevegetable preservation effectivenessVSAvoidpreservation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the preservation parameters from freezing conditions to controlled temperature and humidity conditions with nutrient supply. The thermal insulation case body maintains a specific temperature range that prevents freezing while slowing decay, and the pipeline component continuously supplies nutrient solution to keep vegetables in a stagnant growth state, thereby extending preservation time from hours to days or weeks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a self-service preservation system where the pipeline component automatically circulates nutrient solution to the vegetables, and the thermal insulation case body automatically maintains the required temperature and humidity conditions. This continuous self-maintenance of optimal preservation conditions eliminates the need for manual intervention and enables long-term preservation without frequent human intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Duration of action of moving object

If a thermal insulation case body with pipeline component is used to circulate nutrient solution, then vegetables can be preserved for long time in a stagnant growth state, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepreservation timeVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pipeline component serves multiple functions: it supplies nutrient solution to vegetables, removes excess water, and can be integrated with the thermal insulation case body structure. The thermal insulation case body simultaneously provides thermal insulation, structural support, and containment for the nutrient solution circulation system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device structure while achieving long-term preservation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 long-term preservation of vegetables by maintaining a controlled environment that allows continuous nutrient absorption and growth, ensuring the vegetables remain fresh for an extended period.

Implementation Method 1

a thermal insulation case body (10) for vegetable growing or preservation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

a pipeline component disposed at the back of the thermal insulation case body (10)... a nutrient solution is circulated in the box by using the pipeline component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid circulation: Convection

Implementation Method 3

at least one first electromagnetic connection portion (23) of the electric control component extends out of an inner surface of the thermal insulation case body (10), and an end of each vegetable carrying component (50) is provided with a second electromagnetic connection portion (53) for being connected to a corresponding first electromagnetic connection portion (23)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic connection: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3005860B1Vegetable freshness-preservation and growing case
Publication Date: 2018.09.05 HAIER GROUP CORP
  • EP3005860B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3005860B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3005860B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vegetable freshness-preservation and growing case comprising: a thermally-insulated case body (10) used for vegetable growing or freshness preservation, where the thermally-insulated case body (10) is provided at the rear side thereof with an electrical control component for use in electrical control of the thermally-insulated case body and with a piping component for use in circulated supply of a nutrient solution into the thermally-insulated case body (10). The present growing case allows the freshness of a vegetable to be preserved for an extended period of time, has a simple structure, and is easy to maintain.