EP1989496A2 - Refrigerator - Google Patents
RefrigeratorInfo
- Publication number
- EP1989496A2 EP1989496A2 EP06798936A EP06798936A EP1989496A2 EP 1989496 A2 EP1989496 A2 EP 1989496A2 EP 06798936 A EP06798936 A EP 06798936A EP 06798936 A EP06798936 A EP 06798936A EP 1989496 A2 EP1989496 A2 EP 1989496A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- contents
- refrigerator
- storing space
- voltage
- state
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D23/00—General constructional features
- F25D23/12—Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
- A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
- A23L3/00—Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general, e.g. pasteurising, sterilising, specially adapted for foods or foodstuffs
- A23L3/36—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D29/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
- F25D2400/02—Refrigerators including a heater
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2700/00—Means for sensing or measuring; Sensors therefor
- F25D2700/02—Sensors detecting door opening
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2700/00—Means for sensing or measuring; Sensors therefor
- F25D2700/12—Sensors measuring the inside temperature
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2700/00—Means for sensing or measuring; Sensors therefor
- F25D2700/16—Sensors measuring the temperature of products
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator which can keep the contents in a non-frozen state by an electric field generated by a radio frequency voltage.
- This technology uses supercooling.
- Supercooling means that a molten object or a solid cooled below a phase transition temperature in a balanced state is not changed.
- FIG. 1 is a structure view illustrating a conventional apparatus for thawing and freshness keeping.
- a cooling box 1 includes an insulation 2 and an outer wall 5.
- a temperature control device (not shown) is installed in the cooling box 1.
- a metal shelf 7 installed in the cooling box 1 has a two layer structure. Vegetables, meats or marine products are mounted on each layer for thawing, freshness keeping or ripening.
- the metal shelf 7 is isolated from the bottom of the cooling box 1 by insulators 9.
- a high voltage generating device 3 can generate 0 to 5000V of DC and AC voltages.
- the inner surface of the insulation 2 is covered with an insulating plate 2a such as vinyl chloride.
- a high voltage cable 4 for outputting the voltage of the high voltage generating device 3 accesses the metal shelf 7 through the outer wall 5 and the insulation 2.
- a safety switch 13 (refer to Fig. 2) is turned off to block the output of the high voltage generating device 3.
- Fig. 2 is a circuit view illustrating the high voltage generating device 3. 100V of
- AC is supplied to a primary side of a voltage adjusting transformer 15.
- Reference numeral 11 denotes a power lamp and 19 denotes an operating state lamp.
- a relay 14 is operated. The operation of the relay 14 is displayed by a relay operation lamp 12.
- Relay contact points 14a, 14b and 14c are closed by the operation of the relay 14, and 100V of AC is applied to the primary side of the voltage adjusting transformer 15.
- the applied voltage is adjusted by an adjusting knob 15a at a secondary side of the voltage adjusting transformer 15.
- the adjusted voltage is displayed on a voltmeter.
- the adjusting knob 15a is connected to a primary side of a boosting transformer 17 at the secondary side of the voltage adjusting transformer 15.
- the boosting transformer 17 boosts a voltage at a rate of 1:50. For example, when 60V of voltage is applied, it is boosted to 3000V.
- the conventional cooling box 1 controls only the amplitude of the voltage applied to the metal shelf 7 to supercool the foods. Accordingly, supercooling occurs at -5 0 C, to prevent freezing cf the foods. In the case that the amplitude of the voltage is varied, a minimum temperature for generating supercooling is -5°C. The foods cannot be supercooled below -5°C. In addition, the conventional art does not suggest a control apparatus and method based on a state of foods. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem
- An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator which can lower a minimum temperature for generating supercooling.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator which uses an appropriate region of energy keeping the contents in a non-frozen state, when the user intends to keep the contents in the non-frozen state.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator which can ef- ficiently perform non-freezing control according to a degree of load in a storing space.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator which can control a temperature of the contents kept in a non-frozen state by adjusting energy supplied to the contents.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator which can efficiently execute a non-freezing mode by checking a state of the contents in a storing space.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator which can notify a state of the contents to the user.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator which can minimize damages of the contents by executing a freezing release mode according to a state of the contents.
- a refrigerator including: a setting unit for setting a amplitude and frequency of a voltage; a generating unit for generating an electric field according to the voltage having the set amplitude and frequency, and applying the electric field to a storing space for storing the contents; and a freezing cycle for cooling the storing space, whereby the contents are kept in a non-frozen state below a phase transition temperature.
- the setting unit sets the amplitude and frequency of the voltage according to a degree of load in the storing space.
- the refrigerator iirther includes a load sensing unit for sensing the degree of load in the storing space.
- the degree of load includes at least one of a capacity of the storing space, a kind and state of the contents, and a temperature of the storing space.
- the refrigerator fiirther includes a current sensing unit for sensing a current flowing through the generating unit.
- the refrigerator fiirther includes a heat source generating unit for forcibly raising a temperature of the storing space or the contents.
- the refrigerator fiirther includes a display unit for notifying the state cf the contents to the user.
- a refrigerator including: an energy setting unit for setting a quantity of energy according to a degree of load in a storing space for storing the contents; an energy generating unit for generating the set quantity of energy and applying the energy to the storing space; and a freezing cycle for cooling the storing space, whereby the contents are kept in a non-frozen state below a phase transition temperature.
- a refrigerator including: a setting unit for setting a amplitude of a voltage having a high frequency characteristic; a generating unit for generating an electric field according to the set voltage, and applying the electric field to a storing space for storing the contents; and a freezing cycle for cooling the storing space, whereby the contents are kept in a non-frozen state below a phase transition temperature.
- a control method of a refrigerator including the steps of: checking a state of the contents stored in a storing space; and executing a non-freezing mode or a freezing release mode according to the checking result.
- FIG. 1 is a structure view illustrating a conventional apparatus for thawing and freshness keeping
- FIG. 2 is a circuit view illustrating a high voltage generating device of Fig. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a refrigerator in accordance with the present invention.
- FIGS. 4 and 5 are structure views illustrating examples of the refrigerator in accordance with the present invention.
- Figs. 6 and 7 are graphs showing supercooling in the refrigerator in accordance with the present invention.
- Figs. 8 and 9 are graphs showing correlation between power and a non-freezing temperature in the simplified refrigerator in accordance with the present invention.
- Figs. 10 to 12 are graphs showing relation curves between a voltage and a frequency for maintaining a non ⁇ rozen state according to a degree cf load;
- Figs. 13 and 14 are a structure view illustrating current sensing by a current sensor, and a graph showing relation between a current and a quantity of the contents;
- Figs. 15 to 17 are graphs showing data sensed by a current or voltage sensor.
- Fig. 18 is a graph showing a temperature of the contents sensed by a temperature sensor.
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the refrigerator in accordance with the present invention
- Figs. 4 and 5 are structure views illustrating examples of the refrigerator in accordance with the present invention.
- the refrigerator 100 includes a load sensing unit 10 for checking a state of a storing space A or B and the contents (not shown) stored in the storing space A or B, a heat source generating unit 20 for generating heat in the storing space A or B or the contents, a freezing cycle 30 for cooling the storing space A or B, a voltage generating unit 40 for generating a voltage to apply an electric field to the storing space A or B, an electrode unit 50 for receiving the voltage and generating the electric field, a door sensing unit 60 for sensing opening and closing of a door 120, an input unit 70 for enabling the user to input a degree of cooling, or selection of a non-freezing mode or a freezing release mode, a display unit 80 for displaying an operating state of the refrigerator 100, and a microcomputer 90 for controlling freezing or refrigerating of the refrigerator 100, and executing the non-freezing mode and the freezing release mode using supercooling.
- a power supply unit (not shown) is essentially installed to supply power to the aforementioned elements.
- the load sensing unit 10 senses or stores the state of the storing space A or
- the load sensing unit 10 can be a thermometer for storing information on a capacity of the storing space A or B which is the state of the storing space A or B, or sensing a temperature of the storing space A or B or the contents, or a hardness meter, an ammeter, a voltmeter, a scale, an optical sensor (or laser sensor) or a pressure sensor for deciding whether the contents have been stored in the storing space A or B.
- the load sensing unit 10 can be the ammeter or the voltmeter.
- the load sensing unit 10 can sense a frozen state of the contents cooled in a keeping mode or a non-freezing mode. For example, if the contents having a liquid phase are kept below a phase transition temperature, the load sensing unit 10 senses phase transition of the contents.
- the load sensing unit 10 can be a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the contents, a voltage sensor or a current sensor for sensing a voltage or a current by an electric field flowing thorough the contents in the non-freezing mode, or a hardness sensor for deciding freezing by phase transition by sensing hardness of the contents. The process of checking the state of the contents by the load sensing unit 10 will later be explained in detail.
- the heat source generating unit 20 forcibly raises the temperature of the storing space A or B or the contents as in a ripening mode of the refrigerator 100.
- a heater for raising the temperature of the contents by externally generating and transmitting heat to the contents, or a means for generating heat in the contents by applying electric waves such as microwaves to the contents can be used as the heat source generating unit 20.
- the freezing cycle 30 is classified into indirect cooling and direct cooling according to a method of cooling the contents.
- Fig. 4 shows an indirect cooling type refrigerator and
- Fig. 5 shows a direct cooling type refrigerator, which will later be explained in detail.
- the voltage generating unit 40 generates an AC voltage according to a predetermined amplitude and frequency.
- the voltage generating unit 40 generates the AC voltage by varying at least one of the amplitude of the voltage and the frequency of the voltage.
- the voltage generating unit 40 applies the AC voltage generated according to the set values (amplitude of voltage, frequency of voltage, etc.) of the microcomputer 90 to the electrode unit 50, so that the resulting electric field can be applied to the storing space A or B.
- the voltage generating unit 40 variably sets the frequency of the voltage.
- the electrode unit 50 converts the AC voltage from the voltage generating unit 40 into the electric field, and applies the electric field to the storing space A or B.
- the electrode unit 50 is a plate or conductive wire made of Cu or Pt.
- the voltage generating unit 40 uses the AC voltage having a frequency of a radio frequency band. The voltage and frequency regions will be discussed later.
- the door sensing unit 60 stops the operation of the voltage generating unit 40 by opening of the door 120 for opening and closing the storing space A or B.
- the door sensing unit 60 can notify opening to the microcomputer 90 to perform the stop operation, or stop the voltage generating unit 40 by shorting out power applied to the voltage generating unit 40.
- the input unit 70 enables the user to input execution of the non-freezing mode for the storing space A or B or the contents as well as temperature setting for freezing and refrigerating control, and selection of a service type (flake ice, water, etc.) of a dispenser.
- the user can input information on the contents such as the kind of the contents through the input unit 70.
- the input unit 70 can be a barcode reader or an RED reader for providing the information on the contents to the microcomputer 90.
- the display unit 80 basically displays a freezing temperature, a refrigerating temperature and the service type of the dispenser, and additionally displays the keeping mode, the ripening mode, the frozen state, the non-freezing mode, the freezing release mode, and the state of the storing space A or B or the contents (for example, quantity of contents, storage or non-storage, freezing or non-freezing, etc.)
- the microcomputer 90 basically controls freezing and refrigerating, and fiirther executes the non ⁇ reezing mode according to the present invention.
- the microcomputer 90 enables the voltage generating unit 40 to generate the AC voltage having the set frequency and amplitude and apply the AC voltage to the electrode unit 50.
- the microcomputer 90 fixes the degree of load (for example, a resistance value, a current value, etc.) from the load sensing unit 10 to specific values, and makes the voltage generating unit 40 generate the AC voltage having the frequency and amplitude corresponding to the degree of load.
- it can be applied when the kind of the contents stored in the storing space A or B is preset (for example, a meat storing space, a vegetable storing space, a fhit storing space, a wine storing space, etc.).
- the microcomputer 90 executes the non-freezing mode
- the microcomputer 90 decides the operation or intensity of the non-freezing mode according to the sensing result of the load sensing unit 10.
- the microcomputer 90 decides that nothing is stored in the storing space A or B according to the sensing result of the load sensing unit 10, the microcomputer 90 needs not to operate the non- freezing mode. Accordingly, the microcomputer 90 displays the non-stored state on the display unit 80 and does not operate the non-freezing mode, thereby reducing power consumption and rapidly notifying the current state to the user.
- the microcomputer 90 can set or vary a non-freezing temperature for executing the non-freezing mode.
- the microcomputer 90 can set or vary the non-freezing temperature according to relation between energy in cooling (energy taken from the contents) and energy applied by the electric field (energy supplied to the contents) discussed later.
- the microcomputer 90 checks a quantity of the contents stored in the storing space A or B according to the sensing result of the load sensing unit 10, and adjusts a amplitude and frequency of a voltage to apply an electric field according to the quantity of the contents, thereby controlling the intensity of the non-freezing mode. As a result, the microcomputer 90 generates the electric field having appropriate intensity according to the quantity of the contents, which results in low power consumption.
- the microcomputer 90 notifies information on the quantity of the contents based on the sensing result to the user through the display unit 80. Therefore, the user can acquire information on a free space without checking the storing space A or B.
- the microcomputer 90 recognizes the frozen state of the contents according to the sensed or measured value cf the load sensing unit 10, and executes the freezing release mode. If the freezing mode is being executed by the freezing cycle 30, the microcomputer 90 releases freezing of the contents by executing the refrigerating mode, or by forcibly raising the temperature of the storing space A or B or the contents by operating the heat source generating unit 20 in addition to the refrigerating mode. When freezing is released by the heat source generating unit 20, all the contents in the storing space A or B are affected. Accordingly, the microcomputer 90 must precisely decide the frozen state of the contents according to the sensing result of the load sensing unit 10.
- FIGs. 4 and 5 are structure views illustrating examples of the refrigerator in accordance with the present invention.
- Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an indirect cooling type refrigerator
- Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a direct cooling type refrigerator.
- the indirect cooling type refrigerator includes a casing 110 having one surface opened, and including a storing space A inside and a shelf 130 for partially partitioning the storing space A, and a door 120 for opening and closing the opened surface of the casing 110.
- a heat source generating unit 20 is formed in a hot wire type inserted into an inner surface 112b of the casing 110, like a heater.
- a freezing cycle 30 of the indirect cooling type refrigerator includes a compressor
- the freezing cycle 30 fiirther includes a condenser, a drier and an expanding unit.
- Electrode units 50a and 50b are formed between the inner surfaces 112a and 112c feeing the storing space A and the outer surface cf the casing 110.
- the electrode units 50a and 50b are installed to fece the storing space A, for applying an electric field to the whole storing space A.
- the storing space A is separated from the ends of the electrode units 50a and 50b at predetermined intervals in the inner or center directions of the electrode units 50a and 50b, for applying the uniform electric field to the storing space A or the contents.
- the suction duct 36 and the discharge duct 38 are formed on the inner surface 112b of the casing 110 to be isolated from the heat source generating unit 20 at a predetermined interval.
- the inner surfaces 112a, 112b and 112c of the casing 110 are made of a hydrophobic material, and thus not frozen during the non-freezing mode due to reduction of surface tension of water.
- the outer surface and the inner surfaces 112a, 112b and 112c of the casing 110 are made of an insulating material, thereby preventing the user from receiving an electric shock from the electrode units 50a and 50b, and preventing the contents from electrically contacting the electrode units 50a and 50b through the inner surfaces 112a, 112b and 112c.
- a casing 110, a door 120, a shelf 130 and a heat source generating unit 20 of the direct cooling type refrigerator of Fig. 5 are identical to those of the indirect cooling type refrigerator of Fig. 4.
- Inner surfaces 114a, 114b and 114c of the casing 110 are identical to the inner surfaces 112a, 112b and 112c of the casing 110 except for the suction duct 36 and the discharge duct 38.
- a freezing cycle 30 cf the direct cooling type refrigerator of Fig. 5 includes a compressor 32 for compressing refrigerants, and an evaporator 39 installed in the casing 110 adjacently to the inner surfaces 114a, 114b and 114c of the casing 110 around the storing space B, for evaporating the refrigerants.
- the direct cooling type freezing cycle 30 includes a condenser (not shown) and an expansion valve (not shown).
- electrode units 50a and 5Od are inserted between the evaporator 39 and the casing 110, for preventing cool air from being intercepted by the evaporator 39.
- Figs. 6 and 7 are graphs showing supercooling in the refrigerator in accordance with the present invention.
- Fig. 6 shows an experiment structure and condition of Fig. 7.
- a storing space Sl is formed in a casing 111
- O.l ⁇ cf distilled water is contained in the storing space Sl
- electrodes 50e and 50f are inserted into the sidewalls of the casing 111 to be symmetrically disposed to the storing space Sl.
- the electrode surfaces of the electrodes 50e and 50f feeing the storing surface Sl are wider than the surface of the storing space Sl.
- An interval between the electrodes 50e and 50f is 2 0mm.
- the casing 111 is made of an acrylic material.
- the casing 111 is kept and cooled in a storing space uniformly supplying cool air (refrigerating apparatus which does not have an additional electric field generator except the electrodes 50e and 50f).
- the microcomputer 90 makes the voltage generating unit 40 apply
- the present inventors investigated the survival rate of Giardias, flagellates causing diarrhea to a human body before and after electric field processing. 408 Giardias were used in a non-nutrient state. The present inventors investigated the survival rate of Giardias with the existence and absence of the electric field. When the electric field was not used, 396 Giardias were left, namely, the survival rate was 96.6%. It means that Giardias were not naturally removed. Conversely, when the electric field was used, no Giardia was left. The above experiment result was obtained in the non- nutrient state. However, it was expected that the similar result would be obtained in the nutrient state, namely, the food keeping state of the refrigerator. As described above, the electric field serves to efficiently remove microorganisms causing decay such as Giardia.
- Figs. 8 and 9 are graphs showing correlation between power and the non-freezing temperature in the simplified refrigerator in accordance with the present invention.
- Figs. 8 and 9 are applied to the experiment structure of Fig. 6.
- the keeping temperature (control temperature) in the storing space in which the casing 111 is kept, namely, the inside temperature is fixed to -6°C.
- the microcomputer 90 sets and applies a plurality of quantities of power energy to the voltage generating unit 40, and measures resulting variations of the non-freezing temperature.
- Fig. 8 is a graph showing the non ⁇ reezing temperature of water supplied with different quantities of power energy. As depicted in Fig. 8, in a reference line 0 which is not supplied with power energy, water is maintained in the non-frozen state to -5°C by cooling, and phase-transited to the frozen state 3 hours from cooling.
- Fig. 9 is a graph showing correlation between the first to fifth energy lines I to V of
- Fig. 8 As shown in Fig. 9, in the cool air supply state, the quantity of the energy applied to the contents, namely, water and the non-freezing temperature of water have proportional relation. That is, when the quantity of the energy applied to the contents is large, the non ⁇ reezing temperature rises, and when the quantity of the energy applied to the contents is small, the non-freezing temperature fells. However, if the quantity of energy is too small, it does not cause the motion of the water molecules and adjust the supercooled state, thereby reaching the result of the fifth energy line V.
- the non-freezing temperature is determined according to the quantity of energy applied when the keeping temperature (indoor temperature, inside temperature) is -6 0 C. If the keeping temperature is changed, the quantity cf the applied energy must be changed.
- the microcomputer 90 stores the simple correlation information between the quantity of energy and the non ⁇ reezing temperature. In the case that the keeping temperature is adjusted or varied, the microcomputer 90 must store the correlation information between the quantity of energy and the non-freezing temperature in consideration of the variations of the keeping temperature.
- Figs. 10 to 12 are graphs showing relation curves between the voltage and the frequency for maintaining the non ⁇ rozen state according to the degree of load.
- each curve shows the voltage and frequency regions keeping the non ⁇ rozen state by supercooling.
- Fig. 10 exemplifies water. As a quantity of water increases to 0.1 ⁇ , 2 €, 5£ and 10£ when a voltage and a frequency are set in each region to maintain motion of water molecules, the non-frozen state is maintained.
- Fig. 11 exemplifies vegetables and shows a voltage and frequency region maintaining the non ⁇ rozen state in the same condition as Fig. 10.
- a quantity of vegetables is 10Og
- the non4:ozen state is maintained in the voltage and frequency region of Fig. 11.
- Fig. 12 exemplifies meat and shows a voltage and frequency region maintaining the non-frozen state in the same condition as Fig. 10. As a quantity of meat increases to 50g, 20Og and 3kg, when a voltage and a frequency are set in each region, the non- frozen state is maintained.
- the load is varied according to the quantity and kind of the contents.
- the voltage and frequency region for maintaining the non-frozen state of the contents is set, even if the kind or quantity of the contents is varied as shown in Figs. 10 to 12, the contents can be kept in the non-frozen state by applying a voltage having at least IkHz of frequency.
- Figs. 13 and 14 are a structure view illustrating current sensing by the current sensor, and a graph showing relation between the current and the quantity of the contents.
- Fig. 13 shows a method of forming the load sensing unit 10 which is the current sensor.
- the load sensing unit 10 must be connected in series to the power source and the electrode units 50a and 50b. That is, the load sensing unit 10 senses the current applied to the electrode units 50a and 50b and the current flowing through the storing space A and the contents.
- Fig. 13 exemplifies the indirect cooling type non-freezing refrigerator of Fig. 4. However, the connecting method can be applied to the direct cooling type non-freezing refrigerator of Fig. 5.
- Fig. 14 is a graph showing relation between the sensed current value and the quantity of the contents. Referring to Fig. 14, when the current value is approximate to 0, it is decided that nothing is stored in the storing space A or B. As the current value increases, the quantity of the contents increases.
- the microcomputer 90 can decide storage or non-storage of the contents which is the state of the contents, and the quantity of the contents from the relation graph of Fig. 14.
- the microcomputer 90 adjusts the operation and intensity of the non-freezing mode according to the decision result, thereby efficiently controlling the nonireezing mode.
- Figs. 15 to 17 are graphs showing data sensed by the current or voltage sensor.
- the data are acquired when the contents are water.
- the current and power sharply increase.
- the current sensor and the voltage sensor sense such variations and decide the frozen state.
- Fig. 15 is a graph showing variations of a power lactor
- Fig. 16 is a graph showing variations of power
- Fig. 17 is a graph showing variations of a current.
- 2OkHz of AC voltage is applied.
- the microcomputer 90 confirms the sharp increase by the measured values of the load sensing unit 10, the microcomputer 90 decides that the contents have been frozen.
- Fig. 18 is a graph showing the temperature of the contents sensed by the temperature sensor.
- the contents are water.
- the temperature sensor can be a contact type or a non-contact type.
- the microcomputer 90 confirms the sharp temperature rise and the temperature rise to the phase transition temperature by the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor which is the load sensing unit 10, and decides that water has been frozen.
- the refrigerator can control and maintain various non-frozen states by lowering the minimum temperature for causing supercooling.
- the refrigerator uses the appropriate region of energy keeping the contents in the non-frozen state.
- the present invention can be easily applied to individual electric apparatuses.
- the refrigerator can stably maintain the non-frozen state and reduce power consumption by executing the non-freezing mode according to the degree of load in the storing space.
- the refrigerator can control the temperature of the contents kept in the non-frozen state by controlling energy supplied to the contents.
- the refrigerator can check the state cf the contents in the storing space, notify the state to the user, and efficiently execute the non-freezing mode.
- the refrigerator can minimize damages of the contents by executing the freezing release mode according to the state of the contents.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Nutrition Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
- Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
- Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR1020060014692A KR101284592B1 (en) | 2006-02-15 | 2006-02-15 | Refrigerator |
KR1020060061688A KR100844604B1 (en) | 2006-07-01 | 2006-07-01 | Refrigerator |
KR20060061683 | 2006-07-01 | ||
PCT/KR2006/003853 WO2007094543A2 (en) | 2006-02-15 | 2006-09-27 | Refrigerator |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1989496A2 true EP1989496A2 (en) | 2008-11-12 |
EP1989496A4 EP1989496A4 (en) | 2010-06-02 |
Family
ID=38371907
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP06798936A Withdrawn EP1989496A4 (en) | 2006-02-15 | 2006-09-27 | Refrigerator |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20090044544A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1989496A4 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2006338354A1 (en) |
BR (1) | BRPI0621329A2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2007094543A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (17)
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US20150241136A1 (en) * | 2014-02-21 | 2015-08-27 | Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. | Heat storage device and method of using latent heat storage material |
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JP7087635B2 (en) * | 2018-04-26 | 2022-06-21 | 三菱電機株式会社 | refrigerator |
DE102018208849A1 (en) * | 2018-06-05 | 2019-12-05 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Home storage device |
US11703263B2 (en) | 2018-10-02 | 2023-07-18 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Refrigerator and control method therefor |
JP2020067212A (en) * | 2018-10-23 | 2020-04-30 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | Heating device and refrigerator comprising heating device |
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- 2006-09-27 WO PCT/KR2006/003853 patent/WO2007094543A2/en active Application Filing
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20090044544A1 (en) | 2009-02-19 |
WO2007094543A3 (en) | 2007-10-11 |
AU2006338354A1 (en) | 2007-08-23 |
EP1989496A4 (en) | 2010-06-02 |
BRPI0621329A2 (en) | 2011-12-06 |
WO2007094543A2 (en) | 2007-08-23 |
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