Vacuum heat insulating body, and device and refrigerator using the same

Abstract

To provide a vacuum heat insulating body contributing to exhibiting stable, high heat insulation performance, and a device and refrigerator comprising the vacuum heat insulating body.SOLUTION: A vacuum heat insulating body comprises a first end plate, a second end plate facing the first end plate in a thickness direction, a support member arranged between the first end plate and the second end plate, a laminate including a plurality of film materials, and an outer packaging material. The outer packaging material covers the peripheries of the first end plate, the second end plate, the support member and the film materials. The inside of the outer packaging material is a decompression space. The support member restricts the movement of the film materials in a surface direction more than the movement in the thickness direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vacuum insulator and an appliance and a refrigerator using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Refrigerators and the like use vacuum insulators to improve their insulating function.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a vacuum insulator in which a first sheet 32s1, a second sheet 32s2, and a third sheet 32s3 are separated from each other in the Y-axis direction (thickness direction) by step portions 366a3, 366b3, and a joining portion 356c provided on a first spacer 366a, a second spacer 366b, and a third spacer 366c, respectively (0113-0115, Figures 14-17). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2022 / 092946 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When the vacuum insulator described in Patent Document 1 is disposed between, for example, outside air at room temperature and a low-temperature space in the freezing or refrigeration temperature range, a temperature difference of, for example, about 20 to 50°C occurs between both ends of the spacer 366, causing a major heat flow in the spacer 366. Then, heat is transferred to each sheet 32s through contact at the step portions 366a3, 366b3 and the joint portion 356c, and it is considered that there is room for improvement in the heat insulating performance.

[0006] In addition, there is a risk that the outside air side of the spacer 366 will thermally expand, bending and adhering the sheet 32, or that the low temperature space side of the spacer 366 will thermally contract, causing the sheet 32 ​​to fall off from the stepped portions 366a3, 366b3 or the joint portion 356c. This risk also occurs when an external force such as pressure is applied to the vacuum insulator.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vacuum insulator that contributes to achieving stable, high insulation performance, and an appliance and a refrigerator equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The vacuum insulator of the present disclosure comprises a first end plate, a second end plate facing the first end plate in the thickness direction, a support member arranged between the first end plate and the second end plate, a laminate including multiple film materials, and an outer packaging material, wherein the outer packaging material covers the first end plate, the second end plate, the support member and the film materials, the inside of the outer packaging material is a reduced pressure space, and the support member restricts movement of the film materials in the planar direction more than movement in the thickness direction. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a vacuum insulator that contributes to achieving stable and high insulation performance, and an appliance and a refrigerator equipped with the same. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 1 is a front view showing the appearance of a vacuum insulator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the vacuum insulator according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a partially enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing a vacuum insulator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7]1 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a vacuum insulator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a vacuum insulator according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a vacuum insulator according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing a vacuum insulator according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing a vacuum insulator according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 12A] FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing a vacuum insulator according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 12B] FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing a vacuum insulator according to a modified example of the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, a vacuum insulator according to the present disclosure and a refrigerator including the same will be described with reference to the drawings. EXAMPLES

[0012] First, a basic configuration of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerator according to this embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 1.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, refrigerator body 10 of refrigerator 1 is provided with storage compartments, in this order from above, a refrigerator compartment 2, an ice-making compartment 3 arranged side by side on the left and right, an upper freezer compartment 4, a lower freezer compartment 5, and a vegetable compartment 6. Hereinafter, ice-making compartment 3, upper freezer compartment 4, and lower freezer compartment 5 will be collectively referred to as freezer compartment 7.

[0015] The front opening of refrigerator compartment 2 is opened and closed by rotating refrigerator compartment doors 50a, 50b divided into left and right halves. The front openings of ice-making compartment 3, upper freezer compartment 4, lower freezer compartment 5, and vegetable compartment 6 are opened and closed by pull-out ice-making compartment door 60, upper freezer compartment door 70, lower freezer compartment door 80, and vegetable compartment door 90, respectively. Door hinges (not shown) are provided at the top and bottom of refrigerator compartment 2. The upper door hinge is covered by door hinge cover 16.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator body 10 includes an outer box 10a, an inner box 10b, a vacuum insulator 25 disposed between the outer box 10a and the inner box 10b, and a foam insulation material 21 filled between the outer box 10a and the inner box 10b. The outside and the inside of the refrigerator 1 are separated by these components of the refrigerator body 10. For example, foamed urethane is used as the foam insulation material. The vacuum insulation material 25 is disposed on the ceiling surface, the back surface, the bottom surface, and both sides of the refrigerator body 10, and the lower freezer door 80. The vacuum insulation material 25 on the ceiling surface and the bottom surface of the refrigerator body 10 is disposed substantially horizontally. The vacuum insulation material 25 on the back surface, both sides of the refrigerator body 10, and the lower freezer door 80 is disposed substantially vertically.

[0017] Therefore, refrigerator 1 has a storage compartment surrounded by insulating walls, and the insulating walls include vacuum insulators 25. Refrigerator 1 includes a plurality of vacuum insulators 25. Of the vacuum insulators 25 arranged in the insulating walls, it is desirable that the area of ​​those installed substantially vertically is larger than the area of ​​those installed substantially horizontally.

[0018] The refrigerator compartment 2 is separated from the ice making compartment 3 and the upper freezer compartment 4 by an insulating partition wall 28. The lower freezer compartment 5 and the vegetable compartment 6 are separated by an insulating partition wall 29. An insulating partition wall 30 is disposed on the front side between the ice making compartment 3 and the upper freezer compartment 4 and the lower freezer compartment 5. The insulating partition wall 30 is disposed to close the gap between the lower surface of the ice making compartment door 60 and the upper freezer compartment door 70 and the upper surface of the lower freezer compartment door 80, thereby preventing air from circulating inside and outside the compartment. An insulating partition wall 31 (see FIG. 1) is disposed between the ice making compartment door 60 and the upper freezer compartment door 70. The insulating partition wall 31 is disposed to close the gap between the ice making compartment door 60 and the upper freezer compartment door 70, thereby preventing air from circulating inside and outside the compartment. Further, a heat insulating partition wall 36 is rotatably attached to the inside of the refrigerator compartment door 50a on the refrigerator compartment door 50b side (the right end inside of the refrigerator compartment in FIG. 1). The heat insulating partition wall 36 is intended to close the gap that occurs between the refrigerator compartment doors 50a, 50b when the refrigerator compartment doors 50a, 50b are closed, thereby preventing air from circulating between the inside and outside of the refrigerator.

[0019] A refrigeration evaporator 14a and a refrigeration fan 9a are arranged on the inside of the refrigerator compartment 2 at approximately the rear thereof, and these are adapted to supply cooled air to the refrigerator compartment 2.

[0020] A freezing evaporator 14b and a freezing fan 9b are arranged on the inside of the freezing compartment 7 at approximately the rear thereof, and these are adapted to supply cooled air to the freezing compartment 7.

[0021] A compressor 24 is disposed on the outside of the lower part of the refrigerator 1.

[0022] Next, the vacuum insulator disposed in the refrigerator according to this embodiment will be described.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a front view showing the appearance of the vacuum insulator of this embodiment.

[0024] The vacuum insulator 25 shown in FIG. 3 is used on the bottom surface of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 2, and is a plate-like shape with a width of 300 mm, a length of 300 mm, and a thickness of 20 mm. The outer surface is covered with an outer packaging material 251 to maintain a reduced pressure inside. The outer packaging material 251 is a laminate film and has at least one gas barrier layer (metal foil layer or metal vapor deposition layer, etc.). As an example of a specific configuration, the outer packaging material 251 is a four-layer laminate film. In the outer packaging material 251, the first layer, which is the outermost layer, is a surface protection layer using a resin film such as polypropylene, polyamide, or polyethylene terephthalate, the second layer is a first gas barrier layer using a polyethylene terephthalate film with aluminum vapor deposition, the third layer is a second gas barrier layer using an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer resin film with aluminum vapor deposition, a biaxially oriented polyvinyl alcohol resin film with aluminum vapor deposition, or an aluminum foil, and the fourth layer, which is the innermost layer, is a heat-welded layer using a resin film such as unstretched polyethylene or polypropylene.

[0025] The outer packaging material 251 is cut into a rectangular shape in advance, and formed into a bag shape by facing the heat-sealed layers and heat-sealing three sides. The contents described below are placed inside the bag, and after evacuation, the remaining side is heat-sealed to seal it. Therefore, an outer packaging material end 251a, which is the sealed part, remains on the outer periphery of the vacuum insulator 25. The outer packaging material end 251a is folded toward the upper or lower side of the vacuum insulator 25 and placed in a predetermined position in the refrigerator 1 in this state, fixed with tape or the like (see FIG. 2).

[0026] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 4, a first end plate 252, a second end plate 253, and a plurality of support columns 254 serving as support members are arranged inside the vacuum insulator 25. The first end plate 252 and the second end plate 253 are both made of stainless steel, but are not limited to this and may be made of an alloy such as iron or aluminum. The support columns 254 are arranged between the first end plate 252 and the second end plate 253 and maintain the volume of the reduced pressure space (vacuum space) between the first end plate 252 and the second end plate 253. The support columns 254 are made of phenolic resin, but are not limited to this and may be made of other resin materials.

[0028] In addition, in the reduced pressure space, film materials 256 and spacing members 257 are alternately laminated to form a laminate. The film material 256 is a film having at least one aluminum vapor deposition layer. In this embodiment, a polyethylene terephthalate film having a thickness of 0.025 mm and having aluminum vapor deposition layers on both sides is used. The surface having the aluminum vapor deposition layer has a low emissivity of 0.1 or less, specifically 0.03. The spacing member 257 is a nonwoven fabric formed by accumulating fibers having a diameter of 0.1 mm or less. In this embodiment, the nonwoven fabric used is a 2.5 mm thick fabric made of polyethylene terephthalate fibers having a diameter of 0.05 mm. The film material 256 and the spacing member 257 are free from each other and are not particularly bonded to each other.

[0029] In addition, the vacuum insulator 25 is preferably configured with 5 or more layers of the film materials 256 stacked, more preferably 10 or more layers, and particularly preferably 15 or more layers. This is because the proportion of heat transfer by radiation in the reduced pressure space is large. Also, the number of the spacing members 257 is determined according to the number of the film materials 256. Normally, it is desirable that the number of the spacing members 257 is the same as the number of the film materials 256 or the number of the film materials 256 ±1 sheet, with the film materials 256 and the spacing members 257 being stacked alternately one by one.

[0030] The outer periphery of the first end plate 252 is provided with a bent portion 252a bent at a substantially right angle to the main plane (horizontal plane in FIG. 4) of the first end plate 252. An adsorbent (not shown) is provided in the reduced pressure space. The adsorbent adsorbs gas that permeates the outer packaging material 251 and flows into the reduced pressure space after evacuation, and gas generated from the first end plate 252, the second end plate 253, the support 254, the film material 256, and the spacing member 257. As the adsorbent, quicklime, crystalline zeolite, or the like can be used, for example.

[0031] Therefore, first end plate 252, second end plate 253, support 254, film material 256, spacing member 257, and adsorbent are housed inside outer packaging material 251 as built-in items. Heat-sealed portion 255 of outer packaging material end 251a is formed at a position distance L (L is 10 mm in this embodiment) away from the end of the built-in items. If the distance between heat-sealed portion 255 and the built-in items is not secured and is set to zero, the vacuum insulator 25 will be deformed by being drawn inward by the application of atmospheric pressure to the outer peripheral surface thereof, and tensile stress will act to peel off heat-sealed portion 255, which may cause heat-sealed portion 255 to break. By providing heat-sealed portion 255 at a distance L away from the end of the built-in items, breakage can be prevented, and a highly reliable vacuum insulator can be obtained.

[0032] Furthermore, by providing a bent portion 252a in the first end plate 252, when the outer packaging material 251 is heat-welded to seal the reduced pressure space after evacuation, the heat-welded portion 255 can be prevented from being drawn excessively into the reduced pressure space, making the heat-welded portion 255 less likely to break.

[0033] In addition, the bent portion 252a provided on the first end plate 252 is made shorter than the support column 254 so as to be spaced apart from the second end plate 253. This makes it possible to reduce heat transfer between the first end plate 252 and the second end plate 253.

[0034] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the vacuum insulator 25 of FIG. 4 with the outer packaging material 251 removed.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 5, the bent portions 252a of the first end plate 252 are provided at predetermined intervals on the outer periphery of the first end plate 252. This reduces heat transfer between the first end plate 252 and the second end plate 253. Between the first end plate 252 and the second end plate 253, the film materials 256 and the spacing members 257 are alternately arranged. This prevents the film materials 256 from contacting each other. In addition, the second end plate 253 is provided with a support 254 fixed thereto. In this embodiment, the support 254 is fixed by adhesion, but the method of fixing the support 254 is not limited thereto. For example, the support 254 and the second end plate 253 may be fixed by fastening them with a screw.

[0036] The film material 256 and the spacing member 257 each have openings 256a, 257a (openings) for inserting the support post 254. The support post 254 fixed to the second end plate 253 is inserted into the openings 256a, 257a to prevent the film material 256 and the spacing member 257 from shifting sideways. The film material 256 and the spacing member 257 are arranged between the second end plate 253 and the first end plate 252 in a stacked state, and are contained within the outer packaging material 251 as shown in FIG.

[0037] 6 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vacuum insulator of this embodiment in a decompressed state. The vacuum insulator 25 will be described in a state where it is placed so that the thickness direction is parallel to the gravitational acceleration.

[0038] In this embodiment, the inside of the vacuum insulator 25 is reduced in pressure to 1 Pa. The inside of the vacuum insulator 25 is preferably set to 10 Pa or less.

[0039] As shown in the figure, atmospheric pressure acts on the outer surfaces of the first end plate 252 and the second end plate 253, so that the first end plate 252 and the second end plate 253 are deflected in the parts not supported by the supports 254, and the distance between the first end plate 252 and the second end plate 253 becomes smaller. In this embodiment, the minimum distance H2 between the first end plate 252 and the second end plate 253 caused by depressurizing the vacuum insulator 25 is 17 mm. Meanwhile, the total thickness H1 of the laminated film material 256 and the spacing member 257 (laminate) is 13.5 mm, so that H2>H1 is satisfied. H2 can be set as the minimum distance between the first end plate 252 and the second end plate 253 in a depressurized state. H2 may be indirectly obtained by measuring the distance (outer dimension) in the thickness direction between any two adjacent supports 254 at the portion where the first end plate 252 and the second end plate 253 are most recessed toward the inside of the vacuum insulator 25, and subtracting the thickness of the first end plate 252, the second end plate 253 and the outer packaging material 251 from the measured value. By making H2>H1, even if the first end plate 252 and the second end plate 253 are bent in a reduced pressure state, it is possible to prevent the laminate (film material 256 and the spacing member 257) from being compressed by the surface pressure (approximately atmospheric pressure) applied to the first end plate 252 and the second end plate 253, and the insulation property from being reduced. Note that the configuration for obtaining the relationship of H2>H1 is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment, and the rigidity of the first end plate 252 and the second end plate 253, the total thickness H1 of the laminate, and the arrangement of the supports 254 may be appropriately selected within a range in which the relationship of H2>H1 is obtained.

[0040] 6, when the vacuum insulator 25 is placed so that its thickness direction is parallel to the direction of gravitational acceleration, the first end plate 252 and the second end plate 253 are deflected by depressurizing the vacuum insulator 25, and the laminated film material 256 and the spacing member 257 are supported at the center by the second end plate 253 between two adjacent supports 254, and both ends are not supported and are separated. On the other hand, when the vacuum insulator 25 is placed so that its thickness direction is perpendicular to the direction of gravitational acceleration, the laminated film material 256 and the spacing member 257 are approximately in contact with the vicinity of the portion of the first end plate 252 and / or the second end plate 253 that is most recessed toward the inside of the vacuum insulator 25 at the center between two adjacent supports 254, and both ends are not in contact and are separated. That is, the deflection of the film material 256 and the spacing member 257 is smaller than the deflection of the first end plate 252 and the second end plate 253. As described above, the film material 256 and the spacing member 257 are preferably manufactured so that, at least in a natural state, even when placed in a direction in which a large gravitational acceleration is applied, the deflection is smaller than that of the first end plate 252 and the second end plate 253. This reduces the contact area between the first end plate 252 and / or the second end plate 253 and the laminate, suppressing heat transfer and improving the heat insulating performance.

[0041] Furthermore, the height (thickness dimension) H3 of the support 254 is 18 mm, and the difference (H3-H1=4.5 mm) between this and the total thickness H1 of the film material 256 and the spacing member 257 (laminate) is set to be smaller than the mean free path M (6.6 mm in this embodiment) at the internal pressure of the vacuum insulator (1 Pa in this embodiment). In other words, H3-H1-M>0. It is even more preferable that H2-H1-M>0, where H3 is replaced by H2, is established. The mean free path M [m] at the internal pressure P [Pa] is given by the following formula (1).

[0042]

number

[0043] Here, k is the Boltzmann constant (=1.381×10 -23[J / K]), T is the absolute temperature [K], and d is the molecular diameter [m]. In the case of air, the mean free path can be obtained with the molecular diameter d = 0.376×10 -9 [m].

[0044] Figure 7 is a view showing a part of the C-C cross section of Figure 3.

[0045] In this figure, the outer diameter D1 of the support column 254 is 5 mm, and the intervals P1 and P2 between the support columns 254 are both 50 mm. The film material 256 and the spacer member 257 are provided with, for example, substantially circular openings 256a and 257a having the same number as the support columns 254 so as to coincide with the positions of the support columns 254. The diameter D2 of the openings 256a and 257a is 6 mm, which is larger than the outer shape D1 of the support column 254, satisfying D1 < D2. In this way, the shapes of the openings 256a and 257a are such that they can be non-contact with the same support column 254.

[0046] Also, the film material 256 is a rectangle with a longitudinal (front-rear direction) length of 298 mm and a transverse (left-right direction) length of 298 mm. The area (projection area in the thickness direction) Af excluding 25 openings 256a (see Figure 5) is 88097 mm 2 . The projection area Av in the thickness direction of the vacuum heat insulator 25 is 90000 mm 2 . The total projection area Ap in the thickness direction (axial direction) of 25 support columns 254 (see Figure 5) is 491 mm 2 . Subtracting the area Af of the film material 256 and the projection area Ap of the support column 254 from the projection area Av in the thickness direction of the vacuum heat insulator 25, the area Au (= Av - Af - Ap) of the non-blocking portion that is not blocked by the film material 256 or the support column 254 in the thickness direction of the vacuum heat insulator 25 is obtained, and Au is 1412 mm 2In this embodiment, the area Au of the non-blocking portion relative to the projected area Av of the vacuum insulator 25 in the thickness direction is 1.6%. Au / Av is preferably 10% or less, and more preferably 5% or less. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of avoiding close contact between the film material 256 and the support 254, the area Au of the non-blocking portion can be greater than 0%, for example, 0.5% or more. Note that in the case where the support 254 has a step portion that protrudes in the planar direction, the projected area of ​​the step portion in the thickness direction (axial direction) can also be included as part of Ap.

[0047] With this configuration, the support 254 does not restrict the movement of the film material 256 or the spacing member 257 in the thickness direction (axial direction), but restricts the movement in the surface direction (extension direction of the film material 256 or the spacing member 257). That is, the film material 256 or the spacing member 257 can move freely in the thickness direction (axial direction) between the first end plate 252 and the second end plate 253. For example, the inequality H3-H1>D2-D1 or the inequality H2-H1>D2-D1 is established as the relationship between the thickness direction dimension and the surface direction dimension in which the laminate can move freely. H3-H1 and H2-H1, which are the gap dimensions in the thickness direction (axial direction), do not affect the amount of heat transfer by radiation. On the other hand, if D2-D1, which is the gap dimension in the surface direction, is large, the non-blocking portion that is not blocked by the film material 256 or the support 254 in the thickness direction of the vacuum insulator 25 becomes large, and the amount of heat transfer by radiation increases. In other words, increasing the dimension of movement in the thickness direction (axial direction) does not result in a decrease in heat insulating performance due to radiation, but increasing the dimension of movement in the planar direction does result in a decrease in heat insulating performance due to radiation. Therefore, by making the inequality H3-H1>D2-D1 or H2-H1>D2-D1, the decrease in heat insulating performance due to radiation is suppressed, allowing the film material 256 and the spacing member 257 to move freely.

[0048] The configurations of the vacuum insulator and the refrigerator of this embodiment have been described above. Next, the effects achieved by the vacuum insulator of this embodiment and the refrigerator as an example of equipment will be described.

[0049] The vacuum insulator 25 of this embodiment includes a first end plate 252 provided at one end of the reduced pressure space, a second end plate 253 provided at the other end of the reduced pressure space, a support column 254 as a support member provided between the first end plate 252 and the second end plate 253, and a film material 256 laminated in the normal direction of the main plane of the first end plate 252. The film material 256 is restricted in its movement in the planar direction by the support column 254 as a support member, and can move freely in the axial direction between the first end plate 252 and the second end plate 253. In other words, the film material 256 is configured to be movable in the axial direction with some margin for movement in the planar direction. This allows the vacuum insulator to exhibit stable and high thermal insulation performance. The reason for this will be explained below.

[0050] In the vacuum insulator 25 of this embodiment, the film material 256 is spaced apart from the support 254 or in contact with the support 254 over a small area. Therefore, a sufficiently large thermal resistance is ensured between the support 254 and the film material 256. This prevents heat from transferring from the support 254 to the film material 256, and thus prevents the insulation performance of the vacuum insulator 25 from decreasing. In addition, even when the outside air side of the support 254 thermally expands, the low temperature space side thermally contracts, or an external force such as pressure is applied, the film material 256 is able to move in the axial direction, so that the film material 256 is maintained spaced apart from the support 254 or in contact with the support 254 over a small area, thereby providing stable insulation performance.

[0051] In the vacuum insulator 25 of this embodiment, a metal foil or metal deposition layer is provided on the film material 256 laminated inside the reduced pressure space. This makes at least one surface of the film material 256 a low emissivity surface. Therefore, the amount of heat transfer by radiation can be reduced by the multiple low emissivity surfaces, and the insulating performance of the vacuum insulator 25 can be improved.

[0052] In the vacuum insulator 25 of the present embodiment, spacing members 257 are disposed between the film materials 256. This prevents the film materials 256 from contacting each other, suppresses heat transfer caused by direct contact between the film materials 256, and improves the insulating performance of the vacuum insulator 25.

[0053] The vacuum insulator 25 of this embodiment uses nonwoven fabric as the spacing member 257. Since the nonwoven fabric is formed by accumulating a large number of fibers, the contact state with the film material 256 is point contact or line contact. This makes it possible to suppress heat transfer in the thickness direction of the film material 256 and the spacing member 257, and to improve the insulating performance of the vacuum insulator 25.

[0054] In the vacuum insulator 25 of this embodiment, the thickness of the film material 256 is made smaller than the thickness of the spacing member 257. Since the film material 256 contains a metal foil or a metal vapor deposition layer, it has a higher thermal conductivity than the spacing member 257, which does not contain these. Therefore, by making the thickness of the film material 256 smaller than that of the spacing member 257, the overall heat transfer coefficient in the thickness direction of the vacuum insulator 25 can be reduced.

[0055] In the vacuum insulator 25 of this embodiment, pillar-shaped members, such as pillars 254, are used, and openings 256a are provided in the film material 256, through which the pillars 254 are inserted. Therefore, no misalignment occurs between the pillars 254 and the film material 256, and the two can be easily integrated.

[0056] In the vacuum insulator 25 of this embodiment, the total thickness H1 of the film material 256 and the spacing member 257 is set to be smaller than the height H3 of the support 254. This makes it possible to prevent the film material 256 and the spacing member 257 from shifting positions when the first end plate 252 is installed on one end of the support 254, thereby increasing the yield of the vacuum insulator 25.

[0057] In the vacuum insulator 25 of this embodiment, the minimum distance H2 between the first end plate 252 and the second end plate 253 after the decompression of the decompression space is greater than the total thickness H1 of the film material 256 and the spacing member 257. This prevents a decrease in the performance of the vacuum insulator due to surface pressure acting on the film material 256 and the spacing member 257 and an increase in heat flow via the film material 256 and the spacing member 257, even if the end plates are deflected due to atmospheric pressure after evacuation.

[0058] In the vacuum insulator 25 of this embodiment, Au / Av, which is the area Au of the non-blocking portion relative to the projected area Av, is 10% or less. By keeping the area Au of the non-blocking portion small in this way, a vacuum insulator with high thermal insulation performance that suppresses the deterioration of heat transfer performance due to radiation can be obtained.

[0059] The refrigerator 1 of this embodiment uses the vacuum insulator 25, so that the amount of heat entering the refrigerator 1 can be reduced, and the energy saving performance can be improved.

[0060] In the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment, the total area of ​​the vacuum insulators 25 installed in a substantially vertical state within the insulating wall (the total area of ​​the vacuum insulators 25 installed on the back, both sides, and the lower freezer door) is 2,717,000 mm 2 The total area of ​​the vacuum insulation body 25 installed in the refrigerator in a substantially horizontal position is 340,000 mm 2 It's trying to get bigger.

[0061] When the vacuum insulator 25 is installed horizontally, the film material 256 and the spacing member 257 arranged in the reduced pressure space compress the lower film material 256 and spacing member 257 by their own weight. On the other hand, when the vacuum insulator 25 is installed vertically, the film material 256 and the spacing member 257 are not subjected to a compressive action by their own weight. The film material 256 and the spacing member 257 contact each other over a small area, but when the vacuum insulator 25 is installed horizontally, the contact area between the film material 256 and the spacing member 257 is slightly larger due to a compressive action. Therefore, the thermal resistance in the thickness direction of the film material 256 and the spacing member 257 is smaller, and the thermal insulation performance is reduced. Therefore, by making the total area of ​​the vacuum insulator 25 installed approximately vertically, which provides high thermal insulation performance, larger than the total area of ​​the vacuum insulator 25 installed approximately horizontally, a refrigerator 1 with high cost-effectiveness for parts can be obtained. EXAMPLES

[0062] Next, a vacuum insulator according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 10. Note that the description of the same configuration as in the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0063] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a vacuum insulator according to the second embodiment, which corresponds to the cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

[0064] In this figure, the vacuum insulator 25 is provided with a support frame 259, which is a support member, between a first end plate 252 and a second end plate 253. This maintains a reduced pressure space (vacuum space) between the first end plate 252 and the second end plate 253. The support frame 259 is made of a phenolic resin, but is not limited to this and may be made of other resins.

[0065] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the vacuum insulator 25 of FIG. 8 with the outer packaging material 251 removed.

[0066] As shown in this figure, a support frame 259 is fixed to the second end plate 253. In this embodiment, the support frame 259 is fixed by adhesion, but the fixing method of the support frame 259 is not limited to this. For example, the support frame 259 and the second end plate 253 may be fastened and fixed by screws. Between the first end plate 252 and the second end plate 253, film materials 256 and spacing members 257 are alternately arranged to prevent the film materials 256 from contacting each other. The film materials 256 and spacing members 257 are stored in a stacked state in nine areas partitioned by the support frame 259.

[0067] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vacuum insulator according to the second embodiment, and corresponds to the CC cross-sectional view of FIG.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 10, the film material 256 and the spacing member 257 are housed in an area surrounded by the support frame 259. The thickness t of the support frame 259 is 2 mm. The support frame 259 has an opening 259a with a width of 2 mm for smooth evacuation. The area defined by the support frame 259 has a vertical (front-to-back) length L1 of 99 mm and a horizontal (left-to-right) length L2 of 99 mm. The film material 256 has a vertical (front-to-back) length L3 of 98 mm and a horizontal (left-to-right) length L4 of 98 mm, both of which are smaller than the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the area defined by the support frame 259 (L1>L3, L2>L4).

[0069] The projected area Av of the vacuum insulator 25 in the thickness direction is 90,000 mm 2 The total projected area Af of the film material 256 in the thickness direction is 86436 mm 2 The projected area Ap of the support frame in the thickness direction is 736 mm 2 From these, the area Au (=Av-Af-Ap) of the non-blocking portion in the thickness direction of the vacuum insulator 25 that is not blocked by the film material 256 or the support frame 259 is calculated, and Au is 3372 mm 2In this embodiment, the area Au of the non-blocking portion of the vacuum insulator 25 in the thickness direction is 3.7% of the projected area Av. Au / Av is preferably 10% or less, and more preferably 5% or less. By keeping the area Au of the non-blocking portion that does not block radiation small in this way, it is possible to obtain a vacuum insulator with high insulation performance that suppresses the deterioration of heat transfer performance due to radiation.

[0070] (Modification) 11 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a vacuum insulator showing a modified example of Example 1. Vacuum insulator 25 is placed so that the thickness direction is parallel to the gravitational acceleration.

[0071] In this modification, the support 254 is provided with a disk-shaped protrusion 254a having an outer diameter D3 extending in the surface direction. A laminate consisting of a laminated film material 256 and a spacing member 257 is provided between the first end plate 252 and the protrusion 254a, and between the protrusion 254a and the second end plate 253. That is, the protrusion 254a restricts the laminate from moving in the thickness direction beyond the protrusion 254a, and divides the laminate into two. The number of divisions of the laminate is not limited to two, and the support 254 may be provided with n protrusions 254a (n is an integer of 2 or more) in the thickness direction to divide the laminate into n+1 pieces. In addition, the shape of the protrusion 254a is not limited to a disk shape, and may be another shape as long as it can restrict the laminate from moving in the thickness direction.

[0072] In this way, when the laminate is divided into two or more parts, the laminate thickness dimension of the laminate closest to the first end plate 252 is H1, the thickness dimension from the protrusion 254a of the support 254 to the first end plate 252 on the side where the laminate is located is H3, and the minimum thickness dimension from the protrusion 254a taking into account the deflection of the first end plate 252 is H2, and the laminate thickness dimension of the laminate closest to the second end plate 253 is H1', ​​and the minimum thickness dimension from the protrusion 254 of the support 254 to the first end plate 252 on the side where the laminate is located is H4. The thickness dimension up to the second end plate 253 on the side where the body is present is H3', and the minimum thickness dimension from the protrusion considering the deflection of the second end plate 253 is H2', and these should satisfy the inequalities H2>H1, H3-H1-M>0, H3-H1>D2-D1, H2-H1>D2-D1, H2'>H1', H3'-H1'-M>0, H3'-H1'>D2-D1, and H2'-H1'>D2-D1. Here, M is the mean free path calculated by the above formula (1), D1 is the outer diameter of the support 254, and D2 is the diameter of the opening of the film material 256 and the spacing member 257. It is preferable that the relationship between the outer diameter D3 of the protrusion 254a and the diameter D2 of the opening of the film material 256 and the spacing member 257 is D3>D2 so that the laminated body can be reliably restricted from moving in the thickness direction. As described above, by dividing the laminate into two or more parts, a vacuum insulator that exhibits stable and high thermal insulation performance can be obtained.

[0073] FIG. 12A is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a vacuum insulator according to a modified example of the first embodiment.

[0074] In this figure, the cross section of the support 254 is square, and the opening 256a of the film material 256 and the opening 257a of the spacing member 257 are circular. With this configuration, even if the support 254 comes into contact with the openings 256a, 257a, the contact is at a point, so that heat transfer between the support 254 and the film material 256 and between the support 254 and the spacing member 257 can be suppressed.

[0075] FIG. 12B is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a vacuum insulator according to another modified example of the first embodiment.

[0076] In this figure, the cross section of the support 254 is circular, and the opening 256a of the film material 256 and the opening 257a of the spacing member 257 are square. With this configuration, even if the support 254 comes into contact with the openings 256a, 257a, the contact is at a point, so that heat transfer between the support 254 and the film material 256 and between the support 254 and the spacing member 257 can be suppressed.

[0077] The combination of the cross-sectional shape of the support 254 and the shape of the openings 256a, 257a is not limited to the above example, and may be any configuration that allows contact at a point. For example, combinations of a polygon, a V-shape, a star shape, etc. with a circle, an ellipse, etc., combinations of polygons with different numbers of vertices, combinations of a V-shape, a star shape, etc. with a polygon, etc., are also acceptable.

[0078] In summary, from the viewpoint of suppressing heat transfer between the film material 256 and the support 254 and between the spacing member 257 and the support 254, it is desirable that the cross-sectional area of ​​the support 254 in the cross section of the vacuum insulator be smaller than the areas of the openings 256a, 257a. This also applies to the case where the cross sections of the opening 256a of the film material 256 and the support 254 are both circular, and the case where the cross sections of the opening 257a of the spacing member 257 and the support 254 are both circular.

[0079] The above are specific examples and modified examples, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and includes various modified examples other than those described above. For example, the examples describe in detail the configuration of the vacuum insulator used on the bottom surface of the refrigerator, but by adopting a similar configuration for vacuum insulators used on other surfaces, a vacuum insulator with sufficiently improved insulation performance can be obtained. Also, the examples show a method in which spacing members and film materials are alternately laminated one layer at a time, but a method in which multiple spacing members are inserted between film materials may also be adopted.

[0080] Furthermore, as examples of the support member, a support column with a circular cross section (Example 1) and a support frame that divides the reduced pressure space into a rectangle (Example 2) are shown, but the support column may have a cross section of another shape, not limited to a circular shape, and the support frame may have a configuration that divides the reduced pressure space into another shape, not limited to a rectangular shape. In other words, the examples are described in detail to explain the present disclosure in an easy-to-understand manner, and are not necessarily limited to those that include all of the configurations described.

[0081] Although this specification describes the application of a vacuum insulator to a refrigerator, the vacuum insulator of the present disclosure can also be applied to equipment other than refrigerators, such as a heat pump type water heater having a large-capacity hot water storage tank. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1: refrigerator, 2: refrigerator compartment, 3: ice maker compartment, 4: upper freezer compartment, 5: lower freezer compartment, 6: vegetable compartment, 7: freezer compartment, 9a: refrigerator fan, 9b: freezer fan, 10: refrigerator body, 10a: outer box, 10b: inner box, 14a: refrigerator evaporator, 14b: freezer evaporator, 24: compressor, 25: vacuum insulator, 28, 29, 30: heat-insulating partition Wall, 50a, 50b: refrigerator compartment door, 60: ice-making compartment door, 70: upper freezer compartment door, 80: lower freezer compartment door, 90: vegetable compartment door, 251: outer packaging material, 252: first end plate, 253: second end plate, 254: support, 255: heat-sealed portion, 256: film material, 256a, 257a: opening, 257: spacing member, 259: support frame, 259a: opening.

Claims

1. A first end plate; a second end plate facing the first end plate in a thickness direction; a support member disposed between the first end plate and the second end plate; A laminate including a plurality of film materials; An outer packaging material, The outer packaging material covers the first end plate, the second end plate, the support member, and the film material, The inside of the outer packaging material is a reduced pressure space, The support member restricts movement of the film material in a planar direction more than movement of the film material in a thickness direction.

2. The support member is arranged in a plurality of rows in a planar direction, The vacuum insulator described in claim 1, wherein between two adjacent support members, the inequality H2>H1 holds between the separation distance H2 between the first end plate and the second end plate and the thickness dimension H1 of the stack.

3. The support member is arranged in a plurality of rows in a planar direction, The vacuum insulator according to claim 1 , wherein, between two adjacent support members, the central side of the stack contacts the first end plate and / or the second end plate, and both end sides are spaced apart.

4. 2. The vacuum insulator of claim 1, wherein an inequality H3-H1-M>0 is satisfied between a dimension H3 of the support member in the thickness direction of the vacuum insulator, a dimension H1 of the stack, and a mean free path M at a pressure P of the reduced pressure space, which is expressed by the following formula (1). [0010] (where k is the Boltzmann constant (=1.381×10 －２３ [J / K]), T is the absolute temperature [K], and d is the molecular diameter [m].

5. Each of the film materials forming the laminate has an opening through which the support member is inserted, The vacuum insulator of claim 1 , wherein each of the openings is shaped to be non-contact with the support member.

6. Further comprising a plurality of spacing members; The vacuum insulator according to claim 1 , wherein the film material (metal foil or metal vapor deposition layer) and the spacing members are alternately laminated.

7. The vacuum insulator of claim 6 , wherein the spacing member is formed of a nonwoven fabric.

8. The vacuum insulator described in claim 1, wherein the area obtained by subtracting the total projected area of ​​the film material and the total projected area of ​​the support member from the total projected area of ​​the vacuum insulator in the thickness direction is 10% or less of the total projected area of ​​the vacuum insulator in the thickness direction.

9. The vacuum insulator described in claim 8, wherein the area obtained by subtracting the total projected area of ​​the film material and the total projected area of ​​the support member from the total projected area of ​​the vacuum insulator in the thickness direction is greater than 0% of the total projected area of ​​the vacuum insulator in the thickness direction.

10. Each of the film materials forming the laminate has an opening through which the support member is inserted, The vacuum insulator of claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional area of ​​one of the support members is less than an area of ​​one of the openings.

11. Each of the film materials forming the laminate has an opening through which the support member is inserted, The vacuum insulator of claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional shape of the support member is different from the shape of the opening.

12. A chamber surrounded by a thermally insulated wall is provided. the insulating wall includes a vacuum insulator; The vacuum insulator is A first end plate; a second end plate facing the first end plate in a thickness direction; a support member disposed between the first end plate and the second end plate; A laminate including a plurality of film materials; An outer packaging material, The outer packaging material covers the first end plate, the second end plate, the support member, and the film material, The inside of the outer packaging material is a reduced pressure space, The support member restricts movement of the film material in a planar direction rather than in a thickness direction.

13. A plurality of the vacuum insulators are provided, The refrigerator as the appliance according to claim 12 , wherein an area of ​​the vacuum insulators arranged in the insulating wall that are installed substantially vertically is larger than an area of ​​the vacuum insulators that are installed substantially horizontally.

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