WO2008004765A2

WO2008004765A2 - Supercooling apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2008004765A2
Application number: PCT/KR2007/002683
Authority: WO
Inventors: Su-Cheong Kim; Jong-Min Shin; Deok-Hyun Youn; Cheol-Hwan Kim; Won-Young Chung; Hoon-Bong Lee
Original assignee: Lg Electronics, Inc.
Priority date: 2006-07-01
Filing date: 2007-06-01
Publication date: 2008-01-10
Also published as: KR20080003214A; KR20080003224A; KR20070110465A; KR20080003221A; KR20080003215A; KR20080003228A; WO2008004763A1; WO2008004764A2; KR100827883B1; KR20080003219A; WO2008004770A1; KR20080003218A; KR100857325B1; KR100886987B1; KR100836324B1; KR20080003216A; WO2008004762A1; KR20080003223A; WO2008004771A1; WO2008004764A3

Abstract

The present invention discloses a supercooling apparatus which can selectively supply energy according to a keeping container, by forming an electrode or a coil at a shelf or one side of a storage space. The supercooling apparatus includes a storage space, a freezing cycle for cooling the storage space, a conduction member formed in the storage space and supplied with AC power, and a keeping container with a space for keeping an object therein. First and second electrodes are provided at two parallel faces of the keeping container.

Description

SUPERCOOLING APPARATUS

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a supercooling apparatus, and more particularly, to a supercooling apparatus in which an electrode or a coil is provided at a shelf or one side of a storage space and an electrode or a coil is provided at a keeping container, wherein, as soon as the user puts the keeping container in the supercooling apparatus, an electric field or a magnetic field is generated inside the keeping container, for causing at least one of rotation, vibration and translation to water molecules of a stored object, whereby the stored object can be stably maintained in a supercooled state for an extended period of time. Background Art

[2] Supercooling means that a molten object or a solid cooled below a phase transition temperature in a balanced state is not changed. Each material has stable states in each temperature. If the temperature is slowly varied, elements of the material maintain the stable states in each temperature and accompany the variations of the temperature. However, if the temperature is sharply varied, the elements cannot be changed into the stable states in each temperature. Therefore, the elements of the material maintain the stable state of the start temperature, or some of the elements fail to be changed into the state of the final temperature.

[3] ¥oτ example, when water is slowly cooled, it is not frozen temporarily at a temperature below 0°C. However, when water is supercooled, it has a kind of quasi- stable state. As this unstable balanced state is broken even by a slight stirrulus, water tends to be changed into a more stable state. That is, if a small piece of material is put into the supercooled liquid, or if the liquid is suddenly shaken, the liquid is directly frozen so that the temperature of the liquid can reach the freezing point. Accordingly, the liquid maintains a stable balanced state at the temperature.

[4] Generally, foods such as vegetables, fruits, meats and beverages are refrigerated or frozen to be kept fresh. Such foods contain liquid elements such as water. If the liquid elements are cooled below a phase transition temperature, they are transited into solid elements after a predetermined time.

[5] A stored object such as water can be maintained in the non-frozen state for a short time. However, if moisture may be frozen in the food containing moisture, it is necessary to maintain the food in the non-frozen state for an extended period of time so as to keep quality of the food and preserve the food for a long time. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[6] An object of the present invention is to provide a supercooling apparatus which can stably maintain a stored object in a non-frozen state for an extended period of time.

[7] Another object of the present invention is to provide a supercooling apparatus which can stably maintain a stored object in a non-frozen state for an extended period of time, by suppling energy through an electric field or a magnetic field.

[8] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supercooling apparatus which can stably maintain a supercooled state for an extended period of time, by supplying energy as soon as the user puts a keeping container in the supercooling apparatus.

[9] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supercooling apparatus which can maintain a stored object of a keeping container in a non-frozen state, by selectively generating an electric field or a magnetic field according to the characteristic of the keeping container.

[10] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supercooling apparatus which can allow the user to easily take in or out a keeping container for storing an object in a non-freezing operation using the keeping container.

[11] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supercooling apparatus which can stably maintain a stored object in a non-frozen state by performing a non- freezing operation using a keeping container. Technical Solution

[12] In order to achieve the above-described objects of the invention, there is provided a supercooling apparatus, including: a storage space; a freezing cycle for cooling the storage space; a conduction member formed in the storage space and supplied with AC power; and a keeping container with a space for keeping an object therein, the keeping container including an AC power application unit for receiving AC power and generating an electric field by approaching or contacting the conduction member.

[13] Preferably, the AC power application unit includes a first application unit contacting or approaching the conduction member, and a ground unit spaced apart from the first application unit by a predetermined distance.

[14] Preferably, the conduction member is externally exposed.

[15] Preferably, the first application unit is an externally-exposed flat plate or conductive wire.

[16] Preferably, the conduction member and the first application unit are surrounded by insulation members.

[17] Preferably, the conduction member and the first application unit are made of coils.

[18] In another aspect of the present invention, a supercooling apparatus includes: a storage space; a freezing cycle for cooling the storage space; a conduction member formed in the storage space and supplied with AC power; and a keeping container with a space for keeping an object therein, first and second electrodes being provided at two parallel faces of the keeping container, wherein, when the first or second electrode contacts the conduction member, an electric field is generated in the keeping space, for maintaining the object in a non-frozen state below a phase transition temperature.

[19] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a supercooling apparatus includes: a storage space; a freezing cycle for cooling the storage space; an induction member being formed in the storage space, and including a first coil unit supplied with AC power; and a keeping container with a space for keeping an object therein, a second coil unit being provided at one side face of the keeping container, wherein, when the second coil unit is close to the first coil unit, an electric field is generated in the keeping space, for maintaining the object in a non-frozen state below a phase transition temperature. Brief Description of the Drawings

[20] The present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings which are given only by way of illustration and thus are not limitative of the present invention, wherein:

[21] Rg. 1 is a conceptional view illustrating a basic electrode structure of a supercooling apparatus for maintaining a supercooled state;

[22] Rg. 2 is a graph showing a supercooling phenomenon in the supercooling apparatus of Rg. 1;

[23] Rg. 3 is a configuration view illustrating a supercooling apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

[24] Rg. 4 is a configuration view illustrating a supercooling apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

[25] Rg. 5 is a configuration view illustrating a first example of a shelf of Rg. 4;

[26] Rg. 6 is a configuration view illustrating a second example of the shelf of Rg. 4;

[27] Rg. 7 is a configuration view illustrating a third example of the shelf of Rg. 4;

[28] Rg. 8 is a schematic configuration view illustrating a keeping container of Rg. 4; [29] Rg. 9 is a configuration view illustrating a supercooling apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

[30] Rg. 10 is a schematic configuration view illustrating a shelf of Rg. 9; and

[31] Rg. 11 is a schematic configuration view illustrating a keeping container of Rg. 9.

Mode for the Invention

[32] A supercooling apparatus in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[33] If a liquid, for example, water is slowly cooled, it is not frozen temporarily at a temperature below 0°C. However, when water is supercooled, it has a kind of quasi- stable state. As this unstable balanced state is broken even by a slight stimulus, water tends to be changed into a more stable state. That is, if a small piece of material is put into the supercooled liquid, or if the liquid is suddenly shaken, the liquid is directly frozen so that the temperature of the liquid can reach the freezing point. Accordingly, the liquid maintains a stable balanced state at the temperature.

[34] Even if the temperature is lower than a phase transition temperature, if molecules can continuously perform at least one of rotation, vibration and translation, they can continuously maintain the supercooled state. That is, as soon as cooling which is a process of taking energy from the liquid is conducted, if energy is supplied to prevent phase transition from liquid to solid, the liquid state can be stably maintained for a long time even at a temperature lower than the phase transition temperature. Here, if the process of supplying energy is identical to the process of taking energy, they affect each other. Normally, a cooling apparatus uses a method of taking thermal energy. It is thus inappropriate to adopt a method of supplying thermal energy.

[35] Hg. 1 is a conceptional view illustrating a basic electrode structure of a supercooling apparatus for maintaining a supercooled state.

[36] Referring to Rg. 1, a casing 1 with a storage space S 1 formed therein includes two electrodes 10a and 10b facing the storage space Sl. A power supply unit 2 is provided to apply a high AC voltage to the electrodes 10a and 10b. The power supply unit 2 supplies energy to the storage space Sl between the electrodes 10a and 10b, by generating an electric field in the storage space Sl by applying the high AC voltage to the electrodes 10a and 10b.

[37] In addition, the storage space Sl is cooled by a cooling cycle (not shown). When thermal energy is taken from the storage space Sl, another kind of energy (namely, electric field energy) can be supplied thereto. Accordingly, when water or food containing moisture are stored in the storage space Sl, they can maintain a stable cooling state below a phase transition temperature for an extended period of time without being solidified or frozen.

[38] Rg. 2 is a graph showing a temperature when water kept in the supercooling apparatus of Rg. 1 is cooled.

[39] Generally, if water is cooled below a phase transition temperature, it is phase- transited.

[40] 0. ltof distilled water is put into the storage space S 1 of the casing 1 of Rg. 1. The electrodes 10a and 10b facing the storage space Sl have wider faces than the storage space Sl. The electrodes 10a and 10b are placed at an interval of 20mm. The casing 1 is made of an acrylic material, and inserted and cooled in a cooling space uniformly supplied with the cool air (namely, a refrigerating apparatus which does not have a supplementary electric field generator except the electrodes 10a and 10b).

[41] Here, the power supply unit 2 applies 0.91kV(6.76mA) and 2OkHz of AC voltage to the electrodes 10a and 10b, and the temperature inside the cooling space is about -7⁰C.

[42] As shown in Rg. 2, the supercooled state (non-frozen state) can be stably maintained for an extended period of time, by applying energy through the electric field.

[43] Rg. 3 is a configuration view illustrating a supercooling apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The supercooling apparatus of Rg. 3 is an indirect-cooling type supercooling apparatus having a cooling cycle.

[44] The supercooling apparatus includes a casing 110 having one open face, a storage space A formed therein, and a shelf 130 for partially partitioning the storage space A, and a door 120 for opening and closing the opened face of the casing 110. A freezing cycle 30 of the indirect cooling type supercooling apparatus includes a compressor 32 for compressing a refrigerant, an evaporator 33 for generating the cool air (indicated by arrows) for cooling the storage space A or a stored object, a fan 34 for forcibly moving the generated cool air, a suction duct 36 for introducing the cool air into the storage space A, and a discharge duct 38 for inducing the cool air passing through the storage space A to the evaporator 33. Although not illustrated, the freezing cycle 30 may include a condenser, a drier and an expansion device. In the supercooling apparatus, the cooling cycle can be embodied as the direct cooling type as well as the indirect cooling type.

[45] Electrode units 50a and 50b are formed between the inner faces 112a and 112c facing the storage space A and the outer faces of the casing 110. The electrode units 50a and 50b are installed to face the storage space A, for applying an electric field to the whole storage space A. The storage space A is spaced apart from the ends of the electrode units 50a and 50b at predetermined intervals in the inward directions of the electrode units 50a and 50b or the center direction, so that a uniform electric field can be applied to the storage space A or the stored object.

[46] The suction duct 36 and the discharge duct 38 are formed in the inner face 112b of the casing 110. The surfaces of the inner faces 112a, 112b and 112c of the casing 110 are made of a hydrophobic material, and thus are not frozen during a supercooling mode due to reduction of surface tension of water such as moisture. The outer faces and the inner faces 112a, 112b and 112c of the casing 110 are made of an insulation material, for preventing the user from receiving an electric shock from the electrode units 50a and 50b, and preventing the stored object from electrically contacting the electrode units 50a and 50b through the inner faces 112a, 112b and 112c. Although the indirect cooling type supercooling apparatus is exemplified above, it is obvious that the supercooling apparatus can also be embodied as a direct cooling type supercooling apparatus.

[47] In the supercooling apparatus described above, the electric field is always applied to the whole supercooling apparatus. Actually, when the user keeps foods, he/she may put different foods in different keeping containers. Here, some of the foods contained in the different keeping containers may need to maintain the supercooled state, and the other may not. If generation of an electric field or a magnetic field is individually controlled according to keeping containers, and if the electric field and the magnetic field are applied into the keeping container as soon as the user puts the food in the keeping container, the keeping container can be supplied with energy to stably maintain the supercooled state for an extended period of time. The supercooling apparatus can efficiently perform the supercooling process, by individually controlling generation of the electric field or the magnetic field according to the keeping containers, and appl)ing the electric field and the magnetic field into the keeping container as soon as the user puts the food in the keeping container.

[48] Rg. 4 is a configuration view illustrating a supercooling apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The supercooling apparatus of Hg. 4 is identical to the supercooling apparatus of Hg. 3 except for electrode and shelf portions (parts). The following description will focus on the electrode and shelf portions. Although an indirect cooling type supercooling apparatus is exemplified below, it is obvious that the supercooling apparatus can also be embodied as a direct cooling type supercooling apparatus.

[49] Cooling is conducted in a storage space A. A shelf 130a and a keeping container 70 placed on the shelf 130a are illustrated in the storage space A.

[50] The shelf 130a includes an electrode unit 60 with at least one side face externally exposed. The electrode unit 60 is supplied with an AC voltage from a power supply device (not shown).

[51] A first electrode unit 70a is exposedly formed on one side face of the keeping container 70 to correspond to the electrode unit 60 of the shelf 130a. A second electrode unit 70b is provided at the keeping container 70 to be spaced apart from the first electrode unit 70a by a predetermined distance. That is, the first electrode unit 70a and the second electrode unit 70b are spaced apart from each other by the height of the inside space of the keeping container 70.

[52] In a state where the electrode unit 60 of the shelf 130a is supplied with the AC voltage from the power supply device, if the keeping container 70 is placed on the shelf 130a, the electrode unit 60 and the first electrode unit 70a of the keeping container 70 contact each other, so that the AC voltage is applied to the first electrode unit 70a. Accordingly, an electric field is generated between the first electrode unit 70a and the second electrode unit 70b. A stored object (or an object) kept in the space S2 of the keeping container 70 can be maintained in a non-frozen state by the generation of the electric field and the cooling cycle described above. The second electrode unit 70b functions as a kind of ground electrode.

[53] Particularly, if the keeping container placed on the shelf 130a does not include an electrode unit, the interval between the shelf 130a and the side face 112a increases to weaken an intensity of a generated electric field. As a result, the stored object of the keeping container is not maintained in the non-frozen state. However, as shown in Rg. 4, if the keeping container 70 includes the first electrode unit 70a and the second electrode unit 70b, the interval between the first electrode unit 70a and the second electrode unit 70b is smaller than the interval between the shelf 130a and the side face 112a. Therefore, a target intensity of electric field is generated to maintain the stored object of the keeping container 70 in the non-frozen state.

[54] The electrode unit 60 may be exposedly mounted on the shelf 130a or the bottom face of the storage space in the supercooling apparatus. That is, the electrode unit 60 is formed on one face of the space in which the keeping container 70 can be put. When the electrode unit 60 is supplied with the AC voltage, if the keeping container 70 contacts the electrode unit 60, the electric field is generated. [55] The electrode unit 60, the first electrode unit 70a and the second electrode unit 70b are all made of an electrically conductive material.

[56] In the supercooling apparatus, the AC voltage can be applied to the electrode unit

60 only in a close state of a door 120, for generating the electric field in the keeping container 70. In addition, in the supercooling apparatus, the AC voltage can be applied to the electrode unit 60 regardless of opening and closing of the door 120. In this case, when the user contacts the first electrode unit 70a of the keeping container 70 with the electrode unit 60, the electric field is substantially generated.

[57] As described above, if the intensity of the electric field needs to be controlled according to a kind of a stored object (for example, vegetable, fruit, meat, fish, etc.) by generating the electric field merely in the keeping container 70, the keeping container 70 in which the interval between the first electrode unit 70a and the second electrode unit 70b corresponds to the kind of the stored object can be employed. If the interval between the first electrode unit 70a and the second electrode unit 70b is varied, different intensities of electric fields can be generated under the same applied voltage.

[58] In the case that a plurality of objects are stored in one supercooling apparatus, they can be easily separately stored by generating the electric field by the keeping container 70. As shown in Hg. 3, when one object is maintained in the non-frozen state in the supercooling apparatus without using the keeping container 70, if another object is put in the supercooling apparatus, the prestored object and the newly-stored object may interfere with each other by contact. That is, the non-frozen state of the prestored object may be released due to the temperature of the newly-stored object. As depicted in Rg. 4, when the non-frozen state is maintained in the keeping container 70, the release of the non-frozen state can be overcome.

[59] Hg. 5 is a configuration view illustrating a first example of the shelf of Rg. 4.

[60] Referring to Rg. 5, a keeping container 70 can be seated and supported on a shelf

130a. An electrode unit 60 is exposedly mounted on the shelf 130a. Connection members 12 connectable to a power supply device are provided at both ends of the electrode unit 60.

[61] A reception groove 13a is formed at the shelf 130a so that the user can easily see the region of the electrode unit 60. The user puts the keeping container 70 in the reception groove 13a. As shown in Rg. 5, the reception groove 13a is at least wider than the region of the electrode unit 60.

[62] Still referring to Rg. 5, the electrode unit 60 of the shelf 130a can be made of a conductive wire. For example, the connection members 12 include male and female connectors such as a plug and an outlet. Ibwer can be cut off by electrically disconnecting the connection members 12 from the power supply device. The connection members 12 are connected to the electrode unit 60 through the conductive wire 12a.

[63] The shelf 130a can be separated from the supercooling apparatus simultaneously with or individually from the disconnection of the connection members 12 and the power supply device.

[64] Hg. 6 is a configuration view illustrating a second example of the shelf of Rg. 4.

As illustrated in Rg. 6, an electrode unit 60a made of a conductive thin film or flat plate is exposedly provided at a shelf 130b. A few conductive wires branched from a conductive wire connected to a connection member 12 are connected to a few parts of one side face of the electrode unit 60a. Accordingly, an AC voltage from a power supply device can be uniformly applied to the electrode unit 60a.

[65] Rg. 7 is a configuration view illustrating a third example of the shelf of Rg. 4. As depicted in Rg. 7, an electrode unit 60 of a shelf 130a is made of a conductive wire. A first conductive wire 60' and a second conductive wire 60" are shorted out. Even if an AC voltage is applied through connection members 12, the current does not flow due to the electrical short between the first conductive wire 60' and the second conductive wire 60".

[66] When a keeping container (70 in Rg. 8) is placed to electrically connect the first conductive wire 60' to the second conductive wire 60", the current flows. Therefore, an electric field is generated between a first electrode unit (70a in Rg. 8) and a second electrode unit (70b in Rg. 8) in the keeping container (70 in Rg. 8). That is, when the keeping container (70 in Rg. 8) is not placed, the current does not flow to improve the safety, and when the keeping container (70 in Rg. 8) is placed, the current flows to generate the electric field.

[67] Rg. 8 is a schematic configiration view illustrating the keeping container of Rg. 4.

[68] A keeping container 70 includes a first electrode unit 70a externally exposed on its bottom face, and a second electrode unit 70b which is not externally exposed. The first electrode unit 70a and the second electrode unit 70b are spaced apart from each other by a distance d corresponding to a space S2. An electric field with an intensity corresponding to the distance d is generated in the keeping container 70.

[69] The intensity of the electric field can be varied according to the distance d. The first electrode unit 70a and the second electrode unit 70b can be mounted in the keeping container 70 so that the keeping container 70 can secure a distance d corresponding to a kind of a stored object. [70] As illustrated in Hg. 4, the first electrode unit 70a contacts the electrode unit 60 and receives the AC voltage therefrom, and the second electrode unit 70b relatively serves as a ground. That is, when the keeping container 70 contacts the electrode unit 60 mounted on the shelf or one side of the storage space, the electric field is generated in the keeping container 70, and energy is supplied through the electric field. As a result, the object contained in the keeping container 70 can be maintained in the supercooled state.

[71] In order to prevent the user from directly contacting the second electrode unit 70b of the keeping container 70, the second electrode unit 70b is inserted into an insulation member. That is, while the keeping container 70 is kept in the supercooling apparatus, namely, while the electric field is generated, if the user holds the keeping container 70 to take out the keeping container 70, the user does not directly contact the second electrode unit 70b. Meanwhile, as the first electrode unit 70a is formed on the bottom face of the keeping container 70, it is not affected by the AC voltage.

[72] Rg. 9 is a configuration view illustrating a supercooling apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. The supercooling apparatus of Hg. 9 is identical to the supercooling apparatus of Rg. 3 except that a coil is used instead of an electrode and provided at a shelf. The following description will focus on coil and shelf portions. Although a direct cooling type supercooling apparatus is exemplified below, it is obvious that the supercooling apparatus can also be embodied as an indirect cooling type supercooling apparatus.

[73] Cooling is conducted in a storage space B. A shelf 130c and a keeping container 80 placed on the shelf 130c are illustrated in the storage space B. A first coil unit 60b which can perform the mutual induction is built in the shelf 130c and supplied with AC power from a power supply device (not shown).

[74] A second coil unit 80a is inserted into one side face of the keeping container 80 to correspond to the first coil unit 60b of the shelf 130c. A ground electrode unit 80b is spaced apart from the second coil unit 80a by a predetermined distance. That is, the second coil unit 80a and the ground electrode unit 80b are spaced apart from each other by the height of the inside space of the keeping container 80.

[75] In a state where the first coil unit 60b of the shelf 130c is supplied with the AC voltage from the power supply device, if the keeping container 80 is placed on the shelf 130c, the first coil unit 60b and the second coil unit 80a of the keeping container 80 are close to each other to perform the mutual induction. The AC voltage is applied to the second coil unit 80a. Accordingly, an electric field is generated between the second coil unit 80a and the ground electrode unit 80b. A stored object (or an object) kept in the space S3 of the keeping container 80 can be maintained in a non-frozen state by the generation of the electric field and the cooling cycle. The ground electrode unit 80b functions as a kind of ground electrode.

[76] Particularly, if the keeping container placed on the shelf 130c does not include an electrode unit, the interval between the shelf 130c and the side face 114a increases to weaken an intensity of a generated electric field. As a result, the stored object of the keeping container is not maintained in the non-frozen state. However, as shown in Hg. 9, if the keeping container 80 includes the second coil unit 80a and the ground electrode unit 80b, the interval between the second coil unit 80a and the ground electrode unit 80b is smaller than the interval between the shelf 130c and the side face 114a. Therefore, a target intensity of electric field is generated to maintain the stored object of the keeping container 80 in the non-frozen state.

[77] The first coil unit 60b, the second coil unit 80a and the ground electrode unit 80b are all made of an electrically conductive material.

[78] In the supercooling apparatus, the AC voltage can be applied to the first coil unit

60b only in a close state of a door 120, for generating the electric field in the keeping container 80. In addition, in the supercooling apparatus, the AC voltage can be applied to the first coil unit 60b regardless of opening and closing of the door 120. In this case, when the user approaches the second coil unit 80a of the keeping container 80 to the first coil unit 60b within a predetermined distance, the electric field is substantially generated.

[79] Hg. 10 is a schematic configuration view illustrating the shelf of Hg. 9. A keeping container (80 in Hg. 9) can be seated and supported on a shelf 130c which is an insulation member. A first coil unit 60b is inserted into the insulation member. Connection members 12 connectable to a power supply device are provided at both ends of the first coil unit 60b.

[80] For example, the connection members 12 include male and female connectors such as a plug and an outlet. lower can be cut off by electrically disconnecting the connection members 12 from the power supply device. The connection members 12 are connected to the first coil unit 60b through a conductive wire 12a. The shelf 130c can be separated from the supercooling apparatus simαltaneously with or individually from the disconnection of the connection members 12 and the power supply device.

[81] Rg. 11 is a schematic configuration view illustrating the keeping container of Hg.

9. [82] A keeping container 80 includes a second coil unit 80a and a ground electrode unit

80b. The second coil unit 80a and the ground electrode unit 80b are spaced apart from each other by a distance d corresponding to a space S3. An electric field with an intensity corresponding to the distance d is generated in the keeping container 80. As shown in Rg. 9, when the second coil unit 80a is close to the first coil unit 60b to which AC power is electrically conducted, the mutual induction occurs. Therefore, AC power is electrically conducted to the second coil unit 80a.

[83] The ground electrode unit 80b relatively serves as a ground. When the keeping container 80 is close to the first coil unit 60b mounted on the shelf or one side of the storage space, the electric field is generated in the keeping container 80, and energy is supplied through the electric field. As a result, the object contained in the keeping container 80 can be maintained in the supercooled state.

[84] In order to prevent the user from directly contacting the ground electrode unit 80b of the keeping container 80, the ground electrode unit 80b is inserted into an insulation member. That is, while the keeping container 80 is kept in the supercooling apparatus, namely, while the electric field is generated, if the user holds the keeping container 80 to take out the keeping container 80, the user does not directly contact the ground electrode unit 80b. Meanwhile, as the second coil unit 80a is inserted into the bottom face of the keeping container 80, it is not affected by the AC voltage. Industrial Applicability

[85] The present invention can stably maintain the stored object in the non-frozen state for the extended period of time.

[86] The present invention can stably maintain the stored object in the non-frozen state for the extended period of time, by supplying energy through the electric field or the magnetic field.

[87] The present invention can stably maintain the supercooled state for the extended period of time, by forming one electrode in the supercooling apparatus, forming another electrode corresponding to the electrode in the keeping container, and supplying energy as soon as the user puts the keeping container in the supercooling apparatus.

[88] The present invention can stably maintain the supercooled state for the extended period of time, by forming the coil in the supercooling apparatus, forming the coil and the electrode corresponding to the coil in the keeping container, and supplying energy as soon as the user puts the keeping container in the supercooling apparatus.

[89] The present invention can maintain the stored object of the keeping container in the non-frozen state, by selectively generating the electric field or the magnetic field according to the characteristic of the keeping container.

[90] The present invention can allow the user to easily take in or out the keeping container for storing the object in the non-freezing operation by using the keeping container.

[91] When the plurality of objects are individually stored in the supercooling apparatus, or when the object maintained in the non-frozen state exists in the supercooling apparatus, in order to prevent the influence between the objects, namely, the interference such as contact of the objects, the present invention performs the non- freezing operation using the keeping container, to stably maintain the stored objects in the non-frozen state.

[92] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is understood that the present invention should not be limited to these preferred embodiments but various changes and modifications can be made by one skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

[1] A supercooling apparatus, comprising: a storage space; a freezing cycle for cooling the storage space; a conduction member formed in the storage space and supplied with AC power; and a keeping container with a space for keeping an object therein, the keeping container including an AC power application unit for receiving AC power and generating an electric field by approaching or contacting the conduction member.

[2] The supercooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the AC power application unit comprises a first application unit contacting or approaching the conduction member, and a ground unit spaced apart from the first application unit by a predetermined distance.

[3] The supercooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conduction member is externally exposed.

[4] The supercooling apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first application unit is an externally-exposed flat plate or conductive wire.

[5] The supercooling apparatus of claim 2, wherein the conduction member and the first application unit are surrounded by insulation members.

[6] The supercooling apparatus of claim 5, wherein the conduction member and the first application unit are made of coils.

[7] A supercooling apparatus, comprising: a storage space; a freezing cycle for cooling the storage space; a conduction member formed in the storage space and supplied with AC power; and a keeping container with a space for keeping an object therein, first and second electrodes being provided at two parallel faces of the keeping container, wherein, when the first or second electrode contacts the conduction member, an electric field is generated in the keeping space, for maintaining the object in a non-frozen state below a phase transition temperature.

[8] The supercooling apparatus of claim 7, wherein the conduction member comprises a shelf portion for supporting the keeping container, and a conduction element externally exposed at the upper portion of the shelf portion. [9] The supercooling apparatus of claim 7, wherein the conduction member comprises a conduction element externally exposed at one side of the storage space. [10] The supercooling apparatus of either claim 8 or 9, wherein the conduction element is a flat plate or a conductive wire. [11] The supercooling apparatus of either claim 8 or 9, wherein a reception groove for receiving the keeping container is formed at the shelf portion or one side of the storage space, and the conduction element is exposed on the inner face of the reception groove. [12] The supercooling apparatus of either claim 8 or 9, wherein AC power is electrically conducted to the conduction element before the first or second electrode contacts the conduction member. [13] The supercooling apparatus of either claim 8 or 9, wherein AC power is electrically conducted to the conduction element after the first or second electrode contacts the conduction member. [14] The supercooling apparatus of claim 13, wherein the conduction element is in a short state. [15] A supercooling apparatus, comprising: a storage space; a freezing cycle for cooling the storage space; an induction member being formed in the storage space, and including a first coil unit supplied with AC power; and a keeping container with a space for keeping an object therein, a second coil unit being provided at one side face of the keeping container, wherein, when the second coil unit is close to the first coil unit, an electric field is generated in the keeping space, for maintaining the object in a non-frozen state below a phase transition temperature. [16] The supercooling apparatus of claim 15, wherein the induction member comprises a shelf portion for supporting the keeping container, and the first coil unit is mounted on the inner or bottom face of the shelf portion. [17] The supercooling apparatus of claim 16, wherein the shelf portion is detachably connected to the supercooling apparatus. [18] The supercooling apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first coil unit is mounted in one side of the storage space. [19] The supercooling apparatus of either claim 16 or 18, wherein a reception groove for receiving the keeping container is formed at the shelf portion or one side of the storage space, and the first coil unit is mounted on the inner face of the reception groove. [20] The supercooling apparatus of any one of claims 15, 16 and 18, wherein a ground electrode is provided at one side face of the keeping container to correspond to the second coil unit. [21] The supercooling apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein AC power is electrically conducted to the first coil unit before the second coil unit is close to the first coil unit.