A covering for a refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerator back panels with thermal insulation materials often use flammable materials, necessitating an improvement in fire resistivity without compromising mechanical properties or increasing weight.
Innovation Solution
A multilayer covering structure comprising aluminum flame retardant layers, cellulose-based fibrous material support layers, and attachment layers, which enhance fire resistance, stiffness, and adhesion while being halogen-free and cost-effective.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermal insulation materials are used in refrigerator back panels, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but fire resistivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining aluminum foil layers with cellulose-based fibrous material to create a covering that integrates fire resistance, thermal insulation, and mechanical strength. The aluminum provides fire barrier properties while the cellulose material maintains thermal insulation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the covering materials by specifying aluminum layer thickness (5-50 μm) and cellulose material properties to achieve optimal fire resistivity while maintaining thermal insulation. The flame retardant treatment of cellulose material further modifies its parameters for enhanced fire safety.
2Reliability
If metal layers are added to protect thermal insulation material, then fire resistance is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin aluminum foil layers (5-50 μm thickness) as flexible protective shells that provide fire resistance without adding significant weight. These thin metallic films maintain the required fire protection while keeping the back panel lightweight.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure of aluminum foil combined with cellulose-based fibrous material creates a lightweight yet fire-resistant covering. The cellulose material provides bulk and insulation while the thin aluminum layers provide fire barrier, together achieving fire protection with minimal weight increase.
3Reliability
If multilayer structure is implemented to improve fire resistivity, then fire safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fire protection function into distinct layers: aluminum foil layers for fire barrier and cellulose-based fibrous material for thermal insulation and structural support. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in specific functions, achieving high fire resistivity through coordinated layer performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The covering structure employs a nested arrangement where aluminum foil layers are integrated within or adjacent to the cellulose-based fibrous material layers. This nesting creates a compact multilayer structure where each layer contributes to fire resistance without requiring excessive space or complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution significantly improves fire resistivity and mechanical properties of the back panel, ensuring safety and efficiency while maintaining a lightweight and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
The first flame retardant layer is an aluminum layer having a thickness in a range between 5 μm and 50 μm... The first flame retardant layer may improve fire resistance of the covering
Implementation Method 2
The first attachment layer to attach the first flame retardant part to another part of the covering... an adhesive layer may be formed between the first flame retardant part and another flame retardant part of the covering
Implementation Method 3
Thermal insulating materials, such as polyurethane, are commonly used in refrigerators... a back panel comprising a thermal insulating material and a covering
Data Source
Figure 1a~1f
Figure 2a~2e
AI summary
The invention relates to a covering (10) for a back panel of a refrigerator, the covering comprising a first flame retardant part (100) forming a first surface (11) of the covering and comprising a first flame retardant layer (120), which is an aluminum layer having a thickness (t120) in a range between 5 µm and 50 µm, and a first attachment layer (130) comprising at least one of the following layers: a layer of an extrudable polymer having a specific mass in a range between 7 g/m2 and 80 g/m2, and a layer of glue having a specific mass in a range between 0.5 g/m2 and 15 g/m2. The covering further comprises a flame retardant support part (300) comprising a flame retardant support layer (320) having a specific mass in a range between 100 g/m2 and 800 g/m2, the flame retardant support layer (320) comprising cellulose based fibrous material, and a flame retardant chemical. The invention further relates to a back panel for a refrigerator.