U.S. patent application number 11/806058 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-06 for refrigeration and freezing control system and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Kyung Il Cho, Wan Taek Han, Soo Bong Heo, Min Sun Kim, Jae Chan Park.
Application Number | 20080053124 11/806058 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39149639 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080053124 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cho; Kyung Il ; et
al. |
March 6, 2008 |
Refrigeration and freezing control system and method
Abstract
A refrigeration and freezing control system and method thereof,
which stores an object for preservation without quality
deterioration for a long period, and which controls a supercooling
or maintains freshness by controlling a frequency range. The
refrigeration and freezing control system includes an electrode
module having an anode and a cathode which faces the anode, and an
electric field applying module which applies a voltage to the anode
and the cathode, which generates an electric field having at least
two frequency ranges between the anode and the cathode, and
controls a frequency range of the applied voltage.
Inventors: |
Cho; Kyung Il; (Yongin-si,
KR) ; Park; Jae Chan; (Yongin-si, KR) ; Heo;
Soo Bong; (Yongin-si, KR) ; Han; Wan Taek;
(Yongin-si, KR) ; Kim; Min Sun; (Yongin-si,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STAAS & HALSEY LLP
SUITE 700, 1201 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
39149639 |
Appl. No.: |
11/806058 |
Filed: |
May 29, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/207 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 23/12 20130101;
A23L 3/36 20130101; A01N 1/0252 20130101; A01N 1/0294 20130101;
A01N 1/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/207 |
International
Class: |
F25B 49/02 20060101
F25B049/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 6, 2006 |
KR |
10-2006-0085670 |
Claims
1. A refrigeration and freezing control system, the system
comprising: an electrode module comprising an anode, and a cathode
which faces the anode; and an electric field applying module to
apply a voltage to the anode and the cathode, to generate an
electric field comprising at least two frequency ranges between the
anode and the cathode, and to control a frequency range of the
applied voltage.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrode module comprises at
least two anodes and at least two cathodes, an electric field
comprising a first frequency range is generated in a first anode
and a first cathode, an electric field comprising a second
frequency range is generated in a second anode and a second
cathode, and the at least two anodes and cathodes form a polyhedral
structure.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first frequency range is from
1 kHz to 10 MHz, and the second frequency range is less than 1
kHz.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the electric field applying
module alternately applies a voltage of a first frequency range and
a voltage of a second frequency range to the electrode module.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first frequency range is from
1 kHz to 10 MHz, and the second frequency range is less than 1
kHz.
6. The system of claim 4, wherein the anode and the cathode of the
electrode module comprise at least two anodes and cathodes, and the
at least two anodes and cathodes form a polyhedral structure.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the electric field applying
module applies a voltage of a first frequency range and a voltage
of a second frequency range to the electrode module by a
superposition.
8. The system of claim 7, further comprising: a temperature sensor
module to compare a sensed temperature of an object for
preservation with a predetermined critical temperature, wherein the
electric field applying module applies the voltage of the first
frequency range by dominantly superposition when a temperature
which is measured by the temperature sensor module is less than the
predetermined critical temperature, and the electric field applying
module applies the voltage of the second frequency range by
dominantly superposition when the temperature which is measured by
the temperature sensor module is greater than the predetermined
critical temperature.
9. The system of claim 7, wherein the first frequency range is from
1 kHz to 10 MHz, and the second frequency range is less than 1
kHz.
10. The system of claim 7, wherein the anode and the cathode of the
electrode module comprise at least two anodes and cathodes, and the
at least two anodes and cathodes form a polyhedral structure.
11. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a temperature sensor
module to compare a sensed temperature of an object for
preservation with a predetermined critical temperature, wherein the
electric field applying module applies a voltage of a first
frequency range when a temperature which is measured by the
temperature sensor module is less than the predetermined critical
temperature, and the electric field applying module applies a
voltage of a second frequency range when the temperature which is
measured by the temperature sensor module is greater than the
predetermined critical temperature.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the first frequency range is
from 1 kHz to 10 MHz, and the second frequency range is less than 1
kHz.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein electrode module comprises at
least two anodes and cathodes, and the at least two anodes and
cathodes form a polyhedral structure.
14. The system of claim 11, wherein the critical temperature is
determined to be from -7.degree. C. to 0.degree. C., when the
object of preservation is meat.
15. The system of claim 11, wherein the critical temperature is
determined to be from -3.degree. C. and 0.degree. C., when the
object of preservation is fish and shellfish.
16. The system of claim 11, wherein the critical temperature is
determined to be from -3.degree. C. and 0.degree. C., when the
object of preservation is a vegetable and fruit.
17. A refrigeration and freezing control system storing an object
for preservation, the system comprising: an electrode module
comprising an anode and a cathode which faces the anode; and an
electric field applying module to apply a voltage to the anode and
the cathode, to generate an electric field comprising at least two
frequency ranges between the anode and the cathode, and to control
a frequency range of the applied voltage, thereby controlling a
supercooling and maintaining freshness of the object for
preservation.
18. The refrigeration and freezing control system of claim 17,
wherein the system is a single system comprising a refrigeration
device and a freezing device formed together.
19. The refrigeration and freezing control system of claim 17,
wherein the system simultaneously performs microorganism control
and antioxidation in the object for preservation in an unfrozen
state.
20. The refrigeration and freezing control system of claim 17,
wherein a configuration of the electrode module corresponds to a
form of the object for preservation.
21. The refrigeration and freezing control system of claim 17,
wherein the electric field applying module comprises: a first
oscillation unit which forms a voltage of a first frequency range;
a second oscillation unit which forms a voltage of a second
frequency range; and a waveform conversion unit which generates a
single output electric field based on an electric field of the
first frequency range and an electric field of the second frequency
range as input electric fields.
22. The refrigeration and freezing control system of claim 21,
wherein the voltage of the first frequency range forms a high
frequency electric field in the electrode module of 1 kHz to 10
MHz, and the voltage of the second frequency range forms a low
frequency electric field of less than 1 kHz.
23. The refrigeration and freezing control system of claim 22,
wherein the microorganism control and the antioxidation are
performed in the low frequency electric field of the second
frequency range, and when the high frequency electric field of the
first frequency range which controls supercooling is cut, the
object for preservation is frozen.
24. The refrigeration and freezing control system of claim 21,
further comprising: a temperature module to compare a sensed
temperature of the object for preservation with a predetermined
critical temperature, and the electric filed applying module
further comprises a switching module to compare the critical
temperature of the object for preservation with the temperature
measured in the temperature sensor module by interoperating with
the temperature sensor module, and to connect the electrode module
and the first or second oscillation units.
25. A method of controlling a refrigeration and freezing system to
store an object for preservation, the method comprising: applying a
voltage to an anode and a cathode which face the anode; generating
an electric field including at least two frequency ranges between
the anode and the cathode; and controlling a frequency range of the
applied voltage.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2006-0085670, filed on Sep. 6, 2006, in the
Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a refrigeration and
freezing control system. More particularly, to a refrigeration and
freezing control system which stores an object of preservation
without quality deterioration for a long period, and controls a
supercooling and maintains freshness by controlling a frequency
range.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Refrigeration is a conventional method of food preservation
for objects such as foodstuffs, fish and meats, and the like. In
refrigeration, an object of preservation is kept at a temperature
of less than approximately 4.degree. C., and food is preserved for
approximately 3 to 4 days. However, microorganisms may be easily
grown when the object for preservation contains high moisture
content. Accordingly, refrigeration is mainly used in preserving
meats rather than fruits and vegetables. Specifically, conventional
refrigeration systems may not store the object of preservation for
a long period, and is not suitable for food with high moisture
content.
[0006] Freezing is another conventional method of food
preservation. An ordinary object of preservation such as a variety
of foodstuffs, food products, and living bodies includes a great
amount of moisture. The moisture includes a bound water molecule
and a free water molecule. The bound water molecule is bound to
molecules such as protein including the object of preservation. The
free water molecule is not bound to the molecules and may freely
move within the object of preservation. In the conventional
freezing method, the free water molecule is frozen and grown as an
ice crystal. Also, when the ice crystal increases in size, a cell
of the object of preservation is destroyed. When thawing the
foodstuffs or food products, a drip (i.e., a juice spill) when
thawing occurs. Accordingly, freshness of the object of
preservation may not be maintained.
[0007] Also, in the conventional freezing method, the quality of
the object for preservation is deteriorated, for example, by a
color change of the object of preservation, a deterioration of
palate, and a drip occurrence.
[0008] Moreover, the object for preservation may be damaged by
physical, chemical, and biological changes which may occur in the
process of freezing and thawing. When the object for preservation
is an animal tissue, it is slightly damaged by the thawing.
However, when the object is fruit and vegetable tissue, it is
highly damaged.
[0009] Microorganism control is also a conventional method of food
preservation. The microorganism control may not cause a great
transformation of the object of preservation and preserve the
object for preservation more effectively compared to the
above-described conventional preservation method. Major causes of
diseases from food include a microorganism, a virus, a parasite,
and chemical elements. Among them, the microorganism including a
pathogenic bacteria is a key cause of the diseases from food.
Currently, an interest in food safety in association with the
microorganism including germs is growing worldwide, and the
importance of the food safety with regard to the microorganism is
emphasized.
[0010] A conventional preservation method of controlling the
microorganism includes a thermal process, food irradiation, cold
storage, fermentation, salting, drying, use of transformed gas, and
use of chemical preservatives. Although various methods of
controlling the microorganism in food are used to extend an
expiration date, the methods described above have many
disadvantages.
[0011] Thus, it is necessary to have a refrigeration and freezing
control system which can preserve the object for preservation,
without quality deterioration, more effectively than
above-described conventional methods and to control the
microorganism in food. Also, it is necessary to have a
refrigeration and freezing control system which can control a
temperature fluctuation inside of a conventional refrigeration and
freezing control system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to
provide a refrigeration and freezing control system which stores an
object for preservation for a long period, and which controls a
supercooling and maintain freshness by controlling a frequency
range.
[0013] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a
refrigeration and freezing control system in which a preservation
temperature of the refrigeration and freezing control system is
adaptively determined when a freshness maintenance or a
supercooling control for each object for preservation is
independently required.
[0014] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a
refrigeration and freezing control system in which an electric
field is applied depending on a type of an object for preservation
and includes at least two frequency ranges, and the refrigeration
and freezing control system with various electrode structures to
form the electric field.
[0015] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a
refrigeration and freezing control system which provides a
refrigeration effect, (i.e. freshness maintenance), and a freezing
effect, (i.e. supercooling control), in a single system where a
refrigeration device and a freezing device are together.
[0016] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a
refrigeration and freezing control system which simultaneously
performs a microorganism control and an antioxidation in an object
for preservation in an unfrozen state.
[0017] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a
refrigeration and freezing control system which forms a
configuration of an electrode module depending on a form of an
object for preservation, and thereby controls a supercooling
process and maintains freshness more effectively.
[0018] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a
refrigeration and freezing control system which adaptively performs
a freshness maintenance and a supercooling control of an object for
preservation even when a temperature of the refrigeration and
freezing control system changes, and thereby improves a
preservation efficiency for the object of preservation.
[0019] Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will
be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part,
will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by
practice of the invention.
[0020] The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention
are achieved by providing a refrigeration and freezing control
system, the system including an electrode module including an
anode, and a cathode which faces the anode, and an electric field
applying module applying a voltage to the anode and the cathode,
thereby generating an electric field including at least two
frequency ranges between the anode and the cathode, and controlling
a frequency range of the applied voltage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention
will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the
following description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a refrigeration and
freezing control system which is capable of supercooling control
and a freshness maintenance by controlling a frequency range of an
electric field, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a refrigeration and
freezing control system which controls a frequency range of an
electric field through a formation and conversion of a voltage of a
first frequency range and a voltage of a second frequency range,
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a waveform of an output
electric field where an electric field of a first frequency range
and an electric field of a second frequency range are applied
alternately via a waveform conversion unit, according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are diagrams illustrating a waveform of
an output electric field where an electric field of a first
frequency range and an electric field of a second frequency range
are superpositioned via a waveform conversion unit, according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a refrigeration and
freezing control system including a temperature sensor module,
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating a refrigeration and
freezing control system including an electrode module which
includes an electrode forming a high frequency electric field of a
first frequency range and an electrode forming a low frequency
electric field of a second frequency range, according to an
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0028] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a refrigeration and
freezing control system including electrodes formed in a polyhedral
structure, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of
the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the
like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below to
explain the present invention by referring to the figures.
[0030] A theory for a mechanism of an external electric field
effect on a microorganism is well known in the art. Also, a
principle of microorganism control using an electric field has been
described in many theories. The present invention applies the
principle of microorganism control using an electric field, and the
present invention is a new refrigeration and freezing control
system using the above-described principle. Accordingly, a
description of the principle has been omitted.
[0031] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a refrigeration and
freezing control system which is capable of supercooling control
and a freshness maintenance by controlling a frequency range of an
electric field, according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigeration and freezing control
system according to an embodiment of the present invention,
comprises an electrode module comprising anode 100a and cathode
100b, and an electric field applying module 200.
[0033] In the electrode module comprising the anode 100a and the
cathode 100b, the anode 100a faces to the cathode 100b. The
electrode module comprising the anode 100a and the cathode 100b is
electrically connected with the electric field applying module
200.
[0034] The electric field applying module 200 applies a voltage to
the anode 100a and the cathode 100b, generates an electric field
comprising at least two frequency ranges between the anode 100a and
the cathode 100b, and controls a frequency range of the applied
voltage. When the applied voltage has an oscillation waveform or an
alternating waveform (i.e., an alternating voltage), the anode 100a
and the cathode 100b reverse roles of each other. Specifically, the
anode 100a becomes the cathode 100b, and the cathode 100b becomes
the anode 100a. Also, according to an embodiment of the present
invention, the anode 100a and the cathode 100b are made of a
conductive material such as at least one of gold (Au), silver (Ag),
nickel (Ni), chrome (Cr), copper (Cu), and indium tin oxide
(ITO).
Embodiment 1
Electric Field Applying Method
[0035] Hereinafter, a supercooling control and a freshness
maintenance performed by controlling a frequency range of an
electric field are described with reference to FIGS. 2-4. FIG. 2 is
a diagram illustrating a refrigeration and freezing control system
which controls a frequency range of an electric field through a
formation and conversion of a voltage of a first frequency range
and a voltage of a second frequency range, according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, an electric field applying module 200
comprises a first oscillation unit 210, a second oscillation unit
220, and a waveform conversion unit 230.
[0037] The first oscillation unit 210 forms a voltage of a first
frequency range. The first frequency range is from approximately 1
kHz to 10 MHz. The voltage of the first frequency range forms a
high frequency electric field in electrode module 100a and 100b. In
this instance, the high frequency corresponds to approximately 1
kHz to 10 MHz. Accordingly, a dipole of a water molecule included
in an object for preservation, is rotated by the high frequency
electric field, and freezing of the water molecule is
prevented.
[0038] The second oscillation unit 220 forms a voltage of a second
frequency range. The second frequency range is approximately less
than 1 kHz. The voltage of the second frequency range forms a low
frequency electric field in the electrode module 100a and 100b. In
this embodiment, the low frequency corresponds to approximately
less than 1 kHz, for example. Accordingly, a double layer of fat or
a protein of a cell wall becomes unstable, and a microorganism
control of food and an antioxidation effect is obtained.
[0039] The waveform conversion unit 230 combines or converts the
voltage of the first frequency range and the voltage of the second
frequency range generated in the first oscillation unit 210 and the
second oscillation unit 220. Accordingly, the waveform conversion
unit 230 generates an electric field which has the microorganism
control of food and the antioxidation effect.
[0040] A voltage waveform is embodied since the voltage of the
first frequency range generated in the first oscillation unit 210
and the voltage of the second frequency range generated in the
second oscillation unit 220 passes the waveform conversion unit
230. Thus, in the voltage waveform, the voltage of the first
frequency range and the voltage of the second frequency range are
alternately applied. Also, an electric field where the first
frequency range and the second frequency range are alternately
applied is formed.
[0041] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
voltage which includes a waveform in which the voltage of the first
frequency range and the voltage of the second frequency range are
superpositioned, is formed by the waveform conversion unit 230.
Accordingly, an electric field including the waveform in which the
first frequency range and the second frequency range are
superpositioned is formed.
[0042] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
waveform conversion unit 230 is a device which generates a single
output electric field based on an electric field of the first
frequency range in the first oscillation unit 210 and an electric
field of the second frequency range in the second oscillation unit
220 as two input electric fields. Also, regarding a frequency,
according to an embodiment of the present invention, the frequency
is combined and has various magnitudes. The first frequency range
is from approximately 1 kHz to 10 MHz, and the second frequency
range is approximately less than 1 kHz. A waveform of the output
electric field is described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and
4A-4C.
[0043] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a waveform of an output
electric field where an electric field of a first frequency range
and an electric field of a second frequency range are alternately
applied via a waveform conversion unit according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, the waveform of the output electric
field where the electric field of the first frequency range and the
electric field of the second frequency range are alternately
applied via the waveform conversion unit comprises a high frequency
range a of the first frequency range and a low frequency range b of
the second frequency range.
[0045] An electric field of the low frequency range b of the second
frequency range causes a potential difference between an inside and
an outside of a cell wall of a microorganism on an object for
preservation, and thereby causing damage to the cell wall. Also,
the microorganism of the object for preservation is electrically
shocked in the electric field, and thereby causing an unrecoverable
destruction of the cell wall of the microorganism. Specifically, a
double layer of fat and a protein of the cell wall becomes unstable
and the cell wall is destroyed. Accordingly, a microorganism
control of food and an antioxidation effect is obtained. However,
when applying the electric field of the second frequency range is
prolonged, the object for preservation becomes frozen. Accordingly,
the high frequency range a of the first frequency range is
alternately applied in order to control the object in an unfrozen
state. While applying the high frequency range a of the first
frequency range, a high frequency electric field is formed. In this
embodiment, the high frequency corresponds to approximately 1 kHz
to 10 MHz. A dipole of a water molecule included in the object for
preservation is rotated by the high frequency electric field, and
thereby prevents a freezing of the water molecule.
[0046] Specifically, a refrigeration and freezing control system
according to an embodiment of the present invention simultaneously
performs a microorganism control and an antioxidation in the object
for preservation in an unfrozen state. A time period spent in
applying the electric field of the low frequency range b of the
second frequency range is reduced. In this embodiment, the
microorganism control and the antioxidation are performed in the
electric field of the low frequency range b of the second frequency
range. Also, when an electric field of the high frequency range a
of the first frequency range, which controls a supercooling, is
cut, the object for preservation is frozen. Accordingly, applying
the low frequency range b of the second frequency range, which
maintains a freshness, is performed at a temperature between the
freezing point of water to -5.degree. C.
[0047] FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are diagrams illustrating a waveform of
an output electric field where an electric field of a first
frequency range and an electric field of a second frequency range
are superpositioned via a waveform conversion unit, according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0048] As shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, the waveform, shown in FIG. 4C, of
the output electric field where the electric field of the first
frequency range and the electric field of the second frequency
range are applied by a superposition via the waveform conversion
unit. In the waveform, an electric field having a high frequency
waveform of the first frequency range, shown in FIG. 4A, and an
electric field having a low frequency waveform of the second
frequency range, shown in FIG. 4B, are superpositioned. In this
embodiment, the electric field having the high frequency waveform
of the first frequency range is an electric field of a high
frequency corresponding to approximately 1 kHz to 10 MHz. A dipole
of a water molecule included in an object for preservation is
rotated by the electric field of the high frequency, and thereby
prevents a freezing of the water molecule. Also, the electric field
having the low frequency waveform of the second frequency range
causes a potential difference between an inside and an outside of a
cell wall of a microorganism on the object of preservation, and
thereby causing damage to the cell wall. In addition, the
microorganism on the object for preservation is electrically
shocked in the electric field, and thereby causing an unrecoverable
destruction of the cell wall of the microorganism. Accordingly, a
microorganism control and an antioxidation is performed.
Specifically, the microorganism control and the antioxidation is
simultaneously performed in an unfrozen state, and thus quality of
the object for preservation is optimally maintained.
[0049] A preservation temperature of the refrigeration and freezing
control system is not required to be changed even when a freshness
maintenance and a supercooling control for each object for
preservation are independently required. Also, a refrigeration
effect (i.e. freshness maintenance), and a freezing effect, (i.e.
supercooling control), in a single system where a refrigeration
device and a freezing device are not separated, is simultaneously
performed.
Embodiment 2
A Switching Configuration Comprising a Temperature Sensor
Module
[0050] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a refrigeration and
freezing control system including a temperature sensor module 400
according to an embodiment of the present invention. The
refrigeration and freezing control system according to an
embodiment of the present invention, comprises an electrode module
including an anode 100a and a cathode 100b, an electric field
applying module 200, and the temperature sensor module 400.
[0051] The electrode module 100a and 100b is the same as the
electrode module 100a and 100b shown in FIG. 1. The temperature
sensor module 400 compares a sensed temperature of an object for
preservation with a predetermined critical temperature. In this
embodiment, the critical temperature designates a temperature of
freezing the object for preservation. The object for preservation
includes foods such as meats, fish, vegetables, fruits, a variety
of processed food, food ingredients, and living body materials, and
living body tissues. Whether the object of preservation is
supercooled or a freshness of the object of preservation is
maintained is determined by the result of the comparison between
the critical temperature and the measured temperature. According to
an embodiment of the present invention, the temperature sensor
module 400 is located inside of the refrigeration and freezing
control system, in a location where a temperature of the object for
preservation is measured, or outside of the refrigeration and
freezing control system. The present invention is not limited
hereto, and may vary as necessary. Further, the electric field
applying module 200 according to an embodiment of the present
invention comprises a first oscillation unit 210, a second
oscillation unit 220, and a switching module 240.
[0052] The first oscillation unit 210 forms a voltage of a first
frequency range. The first frequency range is from approximately 1
kHz to 10 MHz. The voltage of the first frequency range forms a
high frequency electric field in the electrode module 100a and
100b. In this embodiment, the high frequency corresponds to
approximately 1 kHz to 10 MHz. Accordingly, a dipole of a water
molecule included in an object for preservation is rotated by the
high frequency electric field, and freezing of the water molecule
is prevented.
[0053] The second oscillation unit 220 forms a voltage of a second
frequency range. The second frequency range is approximately less
than 1 kHz. The voltage of the second frequency range forms a low
frequency electric field in the electrode module 110a and 110b. In
this embodiment, the low frequency corresponds to approximately
less than 1 kHz. Accordingly, a double layer of fat of a cell wall
or a protein becomes unstable, and a microorganism control of food
and an antioxidation effect may be obtained.
[0054] The switching module 240 compares the critical temperature
of the object for preservation with a temperature measured in the
temperature sensor module 400 by interoperating with the
temperature sensor module 400. Also, the switching module 240
connects the electrode module 100a and 100b and the first
oscillation unit 210 or the second oscillation unit 220.
Specifically, as a result of the comparison, whether a high
frequency electric field of a first frequency range of the first
oscillation unit 210 or a low frequency electric field of a second
frequency range of the second oscillation unit 220 is formed is
determined. That is, whether the object for preservation is
supercooled or a freshness of the object for preservation is
maintained, is determined by the temperature measured in the
temperature sensor module 400. Accordingly, a change of a
preservation temperature of the refrigeration and freezing control
system may not be required when a freshness maintenance or a
supercooling control for each object for preservation is
independently required.
[0055] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
switching module 240 is separate from the electric field applying
module 200, and included in the refrigeration and freezing control
system as an independent device. As mentioned above, according to
an embodiment of the present invention, the electric field applying
module 200 further comprises a waveform conversion unit 230 as
shown in FIG. 2, for example. Applying an electric field having a
converted waveform described in FIG. 2 is provided by the waveform
conversion unit 230. Specifically, when the temperature measured in
the temperature sensor module 400 is less than the critical
temperature, the electric field applying module 200 applies the
voltage of the first frequency range by dominantly superposition,
which demonstrates a supercooling effect. Also, the electric field
applying module 200 applies the voltage of the second frequency
range by dominantly superposition when the temperature which is
measured by the temperature sensor module 400 is greater than the
predetermined critical temperature.
[0056] Also, the critical temperature is determined to be from
approximately -7.degree. C. to 0.degree. C., when the object for
preservation is meat. The critical temperature is determined to be
from approximately -3.degree. C. to 0.degree. C., when the object
for preservation is fish and shellfish. The critical temperature is
determined to be from approximately -3.degree. C. to 0.degree. C.,
when the object for preservation is a vegetable and fruit.
Embodiment 3
A Configuration of an Electrode Module
[0057] Hereinafter, a configuration of an electrode module of a
refrigeration and freezing control system according to an
embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to
FIGS. 6-8.
[0058] FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating a refrigeration and
freezing control system including an electrode module which has an
electrode forming a high frequency electric field of a first
frequency range and an electrode forming a low frequency electric
field of a second frequency range according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 6, the refrigeration and freezing control
system comprises an electric field applying module 200, and the
electrode module. The electrode module comprises at least two
anodes (i.e., first anode 100a and second anode 110a) and cathodes
(i.e., first cathode 100b and second cathode 110b). Also, in the
refrigeration and freezing control system, the first and second
anodes 100a and 110a face the first and second cathodes 100b and
110b, respectively. An electric field comprising a first frequency
range is formed in the first anode 100a and the first cathode 100b.
An electric field comprising a second frequency range is formed in
the second anode 110a and the second cathode 110b. Also, according
to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least two anodes
and cathodes form a polyhedral structure, for example. The first
frequency range is from approximately 1 kHz to 10 MHz, and the
second frequency range is approximately less than 1 kHz.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 7, in a refrigeration and freezing control
system of FIG. 7, an object for preservation is located in a place
having a structure of a sphere, unlike the structure illustrated in
FIG. 6. Accordingly, in this embodiment of the present invention,
first and second anodes 120a and 130a and first and second cathodes
120b and 130b of an electrode module of FIG. 7 are located along a
surface of the sphere. According to an embodiment of the present
invention, the configuration of the electrode module depends on a
shape of the object for preservation. Therefore, the configuration
of the electrode module is not limited to any particular shape and
may vary as necessary. Further, since the configuration of the
electrode module corresponds to the shape of the object for
preservation, an effective supercooling and freshness maintenance
is obtained.
[0061] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a refrigeration and
freezing control system including electrodes formed in a polyhedral
structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 8, an electrode module comprises at least
two anodes, in this embodiment, four anodes 100a, 140a, 150a, and
160a and four cathodes 100b, 140b, 150b, and 160b. In this
embodiment, the anodes 100a, 140a, 150a, and 160a and the cathodes
100b, 140b, 150b, and 160b form a polyhedral structure. According
to an embodiment of the present invention, when an electric field
applying module 200 applies an alternating voltage, a role of each
of the anodes and cathodes is changed. When the role of each of the
anodes and cathodes is changed, a direction of an electric field
180 is reversed as shown in FIG. 8, for example. Specifically, the
direction of an electric field 180 is distinguished by the
different colors of arrowheads in FIG. 8.
[0063] Also, the electric field applying module 200 comprises a
first oscillation unit, a second oscillation unit, and a waveform
conversion unit. The electric field applying module 200 further
comprises a switching module. The first oscillation unit, the
second oscillation unit, the waveform conversion unit, and the
switching module are the same as the first oscillation unit 210,
the second oscillation unit 220, the waveform conversion unit 230,
and the switching module 240 shown in FIG. 5. Specifically, in FIG.
8, a flow of an ion in a microorganism is controlled in a polygonal
side 170 by using the electrode module with the polyhedral
electrode structure described above. An electric field which does
not require a change of a frequency of the electric field which is
applied depending on a type of the object of preservation and has
various waveforms is applied. Accordingly, an electrochemical
balance of the microorganism may be broken more effectively. The
feature of the polyhedral electrode structure of FIG. 8 is
applicable to all embodiments described above.
[0064] A refrigeration and freezing control system according to the
above-described embodiments of the present invention stores an
object for preservation for a long period, and controls a
supercooling or maintain freshness by controlling a frequency
range.
[0065] Also, a refrigeration and freezing control system according
to the above-described embodiments of the present invention
comprises an adaptively determined preservation temperature of the
refrigeration and freezing control system when a freshness
maintenance or a supercooling control for each object for
preservation is independently required.
[0066] Also, a refrigeration and freezing control system according
to the above-described embodiments of the present invention
comprises an electric field which is applied depending upon a type
of an object for preservation and comprises at least two frequency
ranges. Also, a refrigeration and freezing control system including
various electrode structures to form the electric field is provided
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0067] Also, a refrigeration and freezing control system according
to the above-described embodiments of the present invention
provides a refrigeration effect (i.e. freshness maintenance), and a
freezing effect (i.e. supercooling control), in a single system,
where a refrigeration device and a freezing device are not
separated.
[0068] Also, a refrigeration and freezing control system according
to the above-described embodiments of the present invention
simultaneously performs a microorganism control and an
antioxidation in an object for preservation in an unfrozen
state.
[0069] Also, a refrigeration and freezing control system according
to the above-described embodiments of the present invention forms a
configuration of an electrode module depending on a form of an
object for preservation, and thereby may control a supercooling and
maintain freshness more effectively.
[0070] Also, a refrigeration and freezing control system according
to the above-described embodiments of the present invention
adaptively performs a freshness maintenance and a supercooling
control of an object for preservation even when a temperature of
the refrigeration and freezing control system changes, and thereby
may improve a preservation efficiency of the object of
preservation.
[0071] Although a few embodiments of the present invention have
been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled
in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without
departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the
scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *