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.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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:

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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° C.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Also, the critical temperature is determined to be from approximately −7° C. to 0° C., when the object for preservation is meat. The critical temperature is determined to be from approximately −3° C. to 0° C., when the object for preservation is fish and shellfish. The critical temperature is determined to be from approximately −3° C. to 0° C., when the object for preservation is a vegetable and fruit.

Embodiment 3

A Configuration of an Electrode Module

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Claims

1. A refrigeration and freezing control system, the system comprising: an electrode module comprising an anode, and a cathode which faces the anode; andan 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° C. to 0° C., when the object of preservation is meat.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the critical temperature is determined to be from −3° C. and 0° 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° C. and 0° 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; andan 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; anda 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, andthe 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; andcontrolling a frequency range of the applied voltage.