Articulated VIP Panel Assembly for Insulating Corners

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) face challenges in industrialized mass production and packaging, particularly when manufacturing in a horizontal position and thermally managing non-planar structures like corners, which affects their efficiency and implementation in applications such as storage batteries or medicine boxes.

Innovation Solution

An articulated panel with flexible intermediate portions and tubular parts under controlled atmosphere, where pockets contain thermally insulating materials, and tubular parts provide support and flexibility, facilitating efficient thermal insulation and assembly, with options for uniform controlled atmosphere creation through single periphery sealing or individual pocket connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If VIPs are manufactured in horizontal position and closed on themselves, then ease of manufacture is improved, but thermal management in non-planar structures like corners deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidthermal management in non-planar structures

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating structure is divided into multiple planar pockets connected by flexible intermediate portions, allowing the system to maintain simple horizontal manufacturing while adapting to non-planar geometries through the articulated configuration of segmented units

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible intermediate portions enable the rigid pockets to articulate and adapt to corner configurations and non-planar structures, transforming a static manufacturing approach into a dynamic adaptable system that maintains thermal insulation effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If flexible intermediate portions are added to connect pockets, then adaptability to non-planar structures is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to non-planar structuresVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Flexible intermediate portions made from thin film materials connect the rigid pockets, providing the necessary adaptability to non-planar structures while maintaining relatively simple construction and avoiding excessive device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible intermediate portions serve multiple functions simultaneously: they connect adjacent pockets, provide articulation for corner configurations, and maintain the sealed controlled atmosphere, thereby reducing overall device complexity through functional integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If pockets are individually sealed under controlled atmosphere, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but manufacturing time and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal insulation performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple pockets are connected by flexible intermediate portions to form a single integrated sealed structure under controlled atmosphere, allowing one vacuum operation to seal multiple pockets simultaneously rather than requiring individual sealing operations for each pocket

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible intermediate portions are pre-configured to connect multiple pockets before the final sealing operation, allowing the controlled atmosphere to be established across the entire articulated structure in a single manufacturing step

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 articulated panel achieves high-performance thermal insulation, supports ergonomic assembly, and facilitates mass production, ensuring efficient thermal management in complex geometries like corners, while maintaining a controlled atmosphere for enhanced insulation.

Implementation Method 1

each pocket containing at least one thermally insulating material... tubular part defined by a thermally insulating winding or by a bulged portion enclosing a thermally insulating material in a tubular chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

If there is a vacuum, a residual pressure of between 10 and 104 Pa typically allows for the thermal conductivity to be lowered to 0.02 or even less than about 0.01 W/m−K

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum insulation: Vacuum

Implementation Method 3

filled with a gas having a thermal conductivity lower than that of ambient air, 26 mW/m·K

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conductivity reduction: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11174978B2Assembly and articulated panel with intermediate positioning portions, for thermal insulation

Publication Date: 2021.11.16 HUTCHINSON SA

AI summary

An assembly comprising a structure provided with an interior volume in which is present for example at least one fluid capable of circulating in said volume and under the action of circulation means. Thermally insulating elements of VIP construction are arranged around a layer containing a PCM and extending around the peripheral wall that surrounds the volume. Protrusions fixed to the peripheral wall delimited spaces in which the thermally insulating elements are positioned. A sleeve extends around the protrusions and the insulating elements.