Assembly and articulated panel with intermediate positioning portions, for thermal insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vacuum insulating panels (VIP) face challenges in industrial-scale manufacturing and packaging, and struggle with thermal insulation in non-planar structures, particularly in corners, such as those found in battery storage or medicine boxes.
Innovation Solution
A hinged panel with articulated pockets under controlled atmosphere, featuring tubular parts with thermally insulating materials and flexible sheets for cohesion and thermal management, allowing for efficient insulation in angles and corners, and utilizing a single seal for all components to standardize the controlled atmosphere.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional vacuum insulating panels are used, then thermal insulation performance is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and packaging difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The panel is divided into multiple modular pockets that can be individually manufactured and assembled. Each pocket contains insulating material and can be sealed independently, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining overall thermal insulation performance. The modular design also facilitates easier packaging and handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel incorporates flexible intermediate portions that allow the rigid pockets to articulate relative to each other, enabling the panel to adapt to non-planar configurations. This dynamic flexibility simplifies installation in complex geometries without compromising the vacuum seal or thermal insulation integrity.
2Ease of manufacture
If flat panel manufacturing is used, then production is simplified, but thermal insulation in corners and non-planar structures is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible intermediate portions enable the panel to articulate and conform to non-planar surfaces, including corners and angles. This allows the panel to maintain effective thermal insulation in complex geometries while retaining the manufacturing simplicity of modular flat pockets.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible intermediate portions act as articulated joints between rigid pockets, allowing the panel to bend and adapt to non-planar configurations. This flexibility enables effective corner insulation without requiring complex rigid structures, maintaining ease of manufacture.
3Reliability
If multiple seals are used for each component, then controlled atmosphere is maintained, but manufacturing and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple pockets and the flexible intermediate portions are sealed together as a single integrated unit, maintaining the controlled atmosphere across all components with fewer separate sealing operations. This merging approach preserves vacuum integrity while simplifying the sealing process and reducing the number of individual seals required.
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 provides high-performance thermal insulation, facilitates mass production, and simplifies installation and maintenance by integrating insulation and ergonomics, enabling efficient thermal management in complex geometries.
Implementation Method 1
each pocket containing at least one porous thermal insulating material
Implementation Method 2
If there is a vacuum, a residual pressure of between 10 and 10^4 Pa
Implementation Method 3
filled with a gas having a thermal conductivity lower than that of the ambient air
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
Figure 8~11
AI summary
This relates to an assembly comprising a structure (100) provided with an interior volume (77) in which is present for example at least one fluid capable of circulating in said volume under the action of circulation means (11). Thermally insulating elements (23) of VIP construction are arranged around a layer (15) containing a PCM and extending around the peripheral wall (5) that surrounds the volume (77). Protrusions (22a, 22b) fixed to the peripheral wall delimit spaces (24) in which the thermally insulating elements (23) are positioned. A sleeve (38) extends around the protrusions and the insulating elements (23).