Storage container and refrigerator having the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators face challenges in completely removing odors from odor-causing foods like kimchi and fish, as existing deodorizers interrupt cold air flow and sealed containers prevent ventilation, leading to food spoilage.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator storage container with ventilation holes for smooth cold air flow and detachable deodorizing filters that adsorb odor-causing materials, preventing their spread and maintaining freshness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a deodorizing fan is used to force air through a deodorizing filter, then odor-causing materials are removed from the storage compartment, but additional energy is consumed and the cold air flow is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The container enables natural air circulation through its structure, allowing cold air to flow through the deodorizing filter without requiring an additional fan. The filter is positioned to passively intercept odor-causing materials as air moves through the container, eliminating the need for active mechanical ventilation.
Solution Approach 2:
The deodorizing function is extracted from the refrigerator's main air circulation system and integrated into the container itself. This allows the container to handle odor removal independently without interfering with the refrigerator's cold air supply or requiring additional energy-consuming components.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a sealed container is used to prevent odor-causing materials from spreading, then odors are contained, but cold air supply to the container is blocked and foods cannot be kept fresh
Solution Approach 1:
The container incorporates a deodorizing filter that allows air to pass through while capturing odor-causing materials. This porous filtering structure enables the container to remain semi-sealed, preventing odor escape while maintaining adequate air circulation for food freshness.
Solution Approach 2:
The deodorizing filter acts as an intermediary between the container's interior and exterior. It allows air molecules to pass through freely while intercepting and removing odor-causing materials, thus mediating between the need for sealing and the need for ventilation.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a deodorizing filter is disposed in the vicinity of a cold air suction port or discharging port, then odor removal is effective, but the flow of cold air is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The deodorizing function is extracted from the refrigerator's main air circulation system and integrated into the container itself. This allows the container to handle odor removal independently without interfering with the refrigerator's cold air supply or requiring additional energy-consuming components.
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
Effectively prevents odor-causing materials from spreading inside the storage compartment while ensuring continuous cold air supply, keeping foods fresh by using activated carbon filters with catalysts for enhanced deodorization.
Implementation Method 1
a deodorizing filter that removes the odor-causing materials
Implementation Method 2
using activated carbon filters with catalysts for enhanced deodorization
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A storage container includes an inflow hole and an outflow hole through which cold air flows, and deodorizing filters for removing odorous materials are mounted in the inflow hole and the outflow hole. Therefore, when foods containing odor-causing materials are put in the storage container to be stored in a storage compartment, the odor-causing materials are prevented from spreading inside the storage compartment, thereby fundamentally removing odors from the storage compartment. In addition, the cold air of the storage compartment continuously flows in and out of the storage container through the inflow hole and the outflow hole, and therefore foods stored in the storage container may be kept fresh.