Method for adding a vacuum insulation material into a vacuum insulated refrigerator structure and the corresponding vacuum insulated refrigerator structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vacuum insulation technologies for refrigerators face inefficiencies in removing adsorbed gases, leading to rapid pressure increase and suboptimal energy efficiency due to incomplete degassing of vacuum insulation materials during the filling process.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a powder processor with a hopper, heater, and evacuator to apply heat and vacuum to vacuum insulation material, ensuring it is dry and degassed before loading into the refrigerator structure, using gas permeable features to maintain the vacuum and ensure efficient packing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If vacuum insulation material is loaded directly into the refrigerator structure without pre-degassing, then the loading process is simpler and faster, but the adsorbed gases cause rapid pressure increase and suboptimal energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary degassing action by using a powder processor with heater and evacuator to remove adsorbed gases from the vacuum insulation material before it is loaded into the refrigerator structure. This pre-treatment ensures the material is properly degassed, preventing rapid pressure increase later while maintaining a relatively simple and efficient loading process.
2Reliability
If heat and vacuum are applied to degas the insulation material thoroughly, then the energy efficiency improves, but the processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heating and vacuum evacuation functions into a single integrated powder processor unit. The heater (42) and evacuator (62) work together in the same device to simultaneously apply heat and vacuum to the insulation material in the hopper, achieving thorough degassing while maintaining a relatively simple and compact processing system.
3Productivity
If the insulation material is not properly dried before vacuum loading, then the loading process is faster, but water absorption reduces vacuum quality and durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary drying action by using the heater (42) in the powder processor to remove moisture from the vacuum insulation material before loading. This pre-drying ensures the material is sufficiently dry, preventing water absorption that would reduce vacuum quality and durability, while maintaining an efficient loading process.
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 approach significantly reduces the amount of absorbed water in the insulation material, allowing for faster and more efficient vacuum establishment, enhancing the energy efficiency and durability of the vacuum insulated structure.
Implementation Method 1
applying heat and a first vacuum to the vacuum insulation material to form a dry and degassed vacuum insulation material
Implementation Method 2
applying heat and a first vacuum to the vacuum insulation material to form a dry and degassed vacuum insulation material
Implementation Method 3
applying a second vacuum to a vacuum insulated refrigerator structure (14) using a gas permeable feature (100)
Data Source
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AI summary
A filling system for a vacuum insulated structure is provided having a powder processor including a hopper having an inner hopper wall and an outer hopper wall. The filling system also includes a vacuum insulated structure having a liner positioned inside a wrapper, a trim breaker coupling an outer liner edge and an outer wrapper edge to form a shell defining an internal cavity with at least one gas permeable feature positioned in the internal cavity configured to help apply a vacuum. A loading port is positioned on a surface of the shell. The powder processor loads the shell with a heated and at least partially degassed vacuum insulation material through the loading port while a vacuum is applied to the shell through the at least one gas permeable feature.