Insulation film
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooking appliances often trap heat in handles and user-interface components, leading to undesirably high temperatures that can cause discomfort and safety issues during operation.
Innovation Solution
A thermal insulation film comprising a mesh of silver nanowires and porous alumina is applied to these components, reflecting and blocking heat to reduce temperature transfer, with the silver nanowires forming a conductive network to enhance heat reflection and the porous alumina providing additional insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional insulation materials are used in cooking appliance handles and components, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but thermal insulation performance is insufficient leading to high surface temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple functional layers: a reflective layer (aluminum or silver) for radiant heat reflection, a porous insulation layer (aerogel or vacuum) for thermal isolation, and a protective outer layer for mechanical durability. This multi-layer composite structure achieves superior thermal insulation performance while managing the complexity through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes porous materials such as aerogel or foam structures in the insulation layer to trap air pockets that reduce thermal conduction. The porous structure provides high insulation performance with low density, effectively reducing heat transfer to the handle surface while maintaining a compact form factor.
2Temperature
If thick insulation layers are used to reduce heat transfer, then thermal insulation improves, but the component size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous materials like aerogel that provide exceptional insulation performance with minimal thickness. The porous structure creates numerous air pockets that impede heat flow, achieving high thermal resistance in a compact form that does not significantly increase component volume or weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates vacuum technology as an extreme form of porous insulation, eliminating matter entirely between the heat source and the handle. The vacuum barrier provides superior thermal isolation with zero material thickness, effectively reducing heat transfer without adding volume or weight to the component structure.
3Temperature
If reflective materials are applied to block radiant heat, then heat reflection improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the reflective layer as part of a composite structure where it is bonded to a substrate or sandwiched between layers. This integration provides mechanical support and protection to the reflective material, reducing sensitivity to manufacturing variations and simplifying the application process while maintaining effective heat reflection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes flexible thin film reflective materials that can be conformally applied to various component shapes. These thin films are engineered to maintain their reflective properties even with minor manufacturing variations, providing effective radiant heat blocking without requiring extreme manufacturing precision.
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 insulation film effectively reduces heat transfer to user-touchable components, improving safety and operability by maintaining lower surface temperatures and providing superior thermal insulation compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a first layer comprising silver nanowires proximate to the substrate... an emissivity of the first layer is between 0.02-0.8
Implementation Method 2
a second layer comprising porous alumina proximate to the first layer and distal from the substrate... with the porous alumina having an average pore size of 10-35 micrometers
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure generally relate to an insulation film, including a thermal insulation film or an insulation film for a cooking appliance. The insulation film can include a substrate, a first layer comprising silver nanowires proximate to the substrate, and a second layer comprising porous alumina proximate to the first layer and distal from the substrate.