Heat-Insulating Wall with Layered Cladding to Resist Thermal Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household refrigeration appliances face issues with thermal stress-induced deformation, leading to poor insulation and increased energy consumption, as the thermal expansion coefficients of cladding elements and the heat-insulating core differ, causing warping or buckling of the walls, which can result in inefficient sealing and energy loss.
Innovation Solution
The use of superimposed flat material layers on the narrow sides of the heat-insulating wall, bonded to the core and edge areas, provides dimensional stability without forming thermal bridges, and the layers are connected via buckling zones or welding to enhance rigidity, allowing for a form-fitting enclosure of the core without visible stiffening installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the wall thickness of the cladding elements is increased to withstand thermal stress, then the resistance to deformation is improved, but the material costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite structure combining a foam core (heat-insulating material) with thin cladding elements. The foam core provides thermal insulation while the cladding elements provide structural strength. This composite approach allows thin cladding to achieve the strength of thick material by relying on the core for insulation and the cladding for structural integrity, thereby reducing material costs while maintaining resistance to thermal stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a third dimension by adding a foam core between the cladding elements. Instead of increasing the thickness of individual cladding layers, the solution creates a multi-layered structure where the foam core adds depth and structural support, allowing thin cladding to withstand thermal stresses through the distributed strength of the entire wall assembly.
2Stability of the object's composition
If stiffening rails are mounted inside the wall to prevent deformation, then the dimensional stability is improved, but the installation becomes labor intensive and thermal bridges are formed
Solution Approach 1:
The foam core serves a dual function: it provides thermal insulation and simultaneously acts as a stiffening element that prevents deformation. The foam's inherent structural properties eliminate the need for separate stiffening rails, making the wall structure self-supporting. This reduces installation complexity while maintaining dimensional stability, as the foam core inherently resists thermal stress-induced deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam core performs multiple functions: thermal insulation, structural stiffening, and deformation prevention. By making the core multi-functional, the invention eliminates the need for separate stiffening rails, thereby reducing installation complexity and avoiding thermal bridges that would be created by metal stiffening elements.
3Strength
If stiffening rails extend across the major surfaces of the wall to be effective, then the resistance to deformation is improved, but thermal bridges are formed that increase energy requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The foam core, being a poor thermal conductor, provides structural stiffening without creating thermal bridges. Unlike metal stiffening rails that conduct heat across the wall, the foam core maintains thermal insulation while providing the necessary rigidity to prevent deformation, thereby reducing energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam core inherently provides both insulation and stiffening functions, eliminating the need for separate metal stiffening elements that would create thermal bridges. The foam's cellular structure naturally resists deformation while maintaining thermal break, thus preventing energy loss without additional components.
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
This solution enhances the resistance to thermal stresses, maintains energy efficiency, and reduces material costs by eliminating the need for extensive stiffening installations, while maintaining aesthetic and functional integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a heat-insulating wall
Implementation Method 2
The thermal expansion coefficients of the cladding elements differ from each other and from the thermal expansion coefficient of the core
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a heat-insulating wall (21; 51), in particular for a refrigeration device, comprising a heat-insulating core (22), which has first and second main surfaces (25; 27) that lie opposite of one another and at least one narrow side (26) that connects the main surfaces (25; 27), and a covering element (23) formed from a cut of flat material. The covering element extends on at least the first main surface (25) and the narrow side (26) and has several layers (35, 36, 37) of the flat material lying one over the other at least locally on the narrow side (26).