Method for ensuring reliable core material fill around the pass throughs in a vacuum insulated structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Routing utility lines such as power, refrigerant, and water lines through vacuum insulated structures in refrigerators is problematic due to the need to maintain insulation integrity while allowing for the passage of these lines.
Innovation Solution
A method is provided for adding a vacuum core material fill around an elongated umbilical in a vacuum insulated refrigerator structure, which involves forming a shell with a liner and wrapper, creating elongated internal passageways, and using a gas permeable casing and vacuum tube to form a vacuum while routing utility lines through these passageways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If utility lines are routed through vacuum insulated structures, then operational functionality is enabled, but insulation integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum insulated structure is segmented into multiple regions: a vacuum cavity, a pass-through region with the umbilical, and core material fill regions. The umbilical is further segmented with a gas permeable casing that allows vacuum formation in specific zones while maintaining utility line passage. This segmentation enables simultaneous achievement of insulation integrity and routing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas permeable casing acts as an intermediary between the vacuum cavity and the utility lines. It allows the vacuum to form around the umbilical while preventing direct contact between the utility lines and the vacuum space, thereby maintaining insulation integrity while enabling routing functionality.
2Reliability
If core material fill is added around pass throughs, then insulation performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas permeable casing is installed around the umbilical before the vacuum formation process. This preliminary action defines the boundaries of the vacuum cavity and guides the subsequent core material fill placement, simplifying the manufacturing process by pre-establishing the structure that will contain the insulation material.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas permeable casing allows for controlled formation of the vacuum cavity while enabling the core material to be added around the pass-through region. The porous nature of the casing facilitates gas removal during vacuum formation while maintaining structural integrity during the filling process.
3Loss of energy
If vacuum is formed in the presence of utility lines, then insulation efficiency is enhanced, but risk of contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas permeable casing serves as a protective intermediary that allows the vacuum to form around the utility lines without direct exposure. It enables gas removal from the vacuum cavity while preventing contaminants from the utility lines from entering the vacuum space, thus enhancing insulation efficiency while maintaining vacuum purity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas permeable casing creates a localized vacuum zone around the umbilical with different properties from the surrounding areas. This local quality change allows vacuum formation specifically where needed for insulation while isolating the utility lines from direct vacuum exposure, reducing contamination risk.
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 method allows for the efficient routing of utility lines while maintaining the vacuum insulation, ensuring effective temperature retention and operational functionality of the refrigerator.
Implementation Method 1
forming a vacuum in the internal cavity of the shell through the vacuum tube
Implementation Method 2
filled with various different porous materials
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A vacuum insulated refrigerator structure with a vacuum core material filled in around an elongated umbilical. The vacuum insulated refrigerator structure is made of a shell having a liner and a wrapper wherein the shell forms an internal cavity. A gas permeable casing surrounds the entire length of the elongated umbilical passing through the internal cavity of the shell. A vacuum tube is inserted at a first opening between the gas permeable casing and the elongated umbilical and a second end of the elongated umbilical is coupled to the shell at a second opening in the liner. A vacuum is formed in the internal cavity of the shell through the vacuum tube while adding the vacuum core material fill. In the shell, an elongated umbilical has one or more elongated internal passageways wherein the one or more utility lines may be routed through the one or more elongated internal passageways.