Intermediate Member With Ceramic Blocks For Thermal Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional thermal insulation materials face challenges when subjected to large forces or used between objects with complex shapes, as they may break or fail to maintain positioning accuracy, and soft structure materials lack stability.

Innovation Solution

An intermediate member comprising a plate-like supporting member with ceramic blocks adhered to it, allowing for high positioning accuracy and flexibility, with ceramic blocks having a porous structure and specific thermal conductivity and expansion coefficients, and adhesive strength within certain ranges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a porous thermal insulation material is used, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but mechanical strength and stability under force deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal insulation performanceVSAvoidmechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite structure combining a flexible supporting member (resin or metal) with porous ceramic blocks. The supporting member provides mechanical strength and flexibility, while the porous ceramic blocks provide thermal insulation. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs porous ceramic blocks as the thermal insulation material. The porous structure provides low thermal conductivity for thermal insulation, while the blocks are attached to a flexible supporting member that provides mechanical strength. The porous structure is maintained through controlled attachment methods that preserve the blocks' integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Manufacturing precision

If rigid thermal insulation materials are used, then positioning accuracy is improved, but adaptability to complex shapes and forces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidadaptability to complex shapes

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a flexible supporting member made of resin or metal that can deform to match complex object shapes. The porous ceramic blocks are attached to this flexible member, allowing the entire assembly to adapt to complicated geometries while maintaining positioning accuracy through the rigid ceramic blocks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible supporting member allows the thermal insulation assembly to dynamically adapt to different shapes and forces. The member can bend and deform under load, enabling the system to accommodate complex object geometries and varying mechanical stresses while keeping the ceramic blocks in their intended positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If soft structure materials are used, then adaptability to complex shapes is improved, but stability under force deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to complex shapesVSAvoidstability under force

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines a flexible supporting member with rigid porous ceramic blocks in a composite structure. The flexible member provides adaptability to complex shapes, while the rigid ceramic blocks provide stability under force. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the assembly have different mechanical properties: the supporting member is flexible for adaptability, while the ceramic blocks are rigid for stability. This local differentiation of material properties allows the system to simultaneously achieve both adaptability and stability in their respective locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables the easy arrangement of ceramic blocks between objects with high positioning accuracy and effective thermal insulation, maintaining stability under force and deformation while providing mechanical strength and low thermal conductivity.

Implementation Method 1

the plurality of ceramic blocks are adhered onto the supporting member with an adhesive agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

a material having a soft structure such as a fiber structure, a foam structure, or the like may be used

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS10933560B2Intermediate member

Publication Date: 2021.03.02 NGK INSULATORS LTD

AI summary

An intermediate member is a member which is directly or indirectly sandwiched between a first object and a second object. The intermediate member includes a plate-like supporting member having a lower surface which is one main surface opposed to the first object and a plurality of ceramic blocks fixed on an upper surface which is the other main surface of the supporting member in a state of being separated from one another. Thus, in a state where the plurality of ceramic blocks are collectively held by the supporting member having relatively high shape retention, by disposing the intermediate member between the objects, it is possible to easily arrange the plurality of ceramic blocks between the objects with high positioning accuracy.