Appliance encapsulation member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulated refrigerator cabinet structures face challenges in maintaining the vacuum integrity and insulative efficiency, particularly when fasteners are inserted, as they often compromise the vacuum insulation by allowing gases to seep in and reducing thermal isolation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an encapsulation member positioned rearward of the trim breaker, which defines an encapsulation cavity separate from the insulation cavity and is coupled with a hinge support, ensuring that fasteners can be inserted without compromising the vacuum, using materials like sheet metal or polymer that are impermeable to gases, and a hinge support that transfers forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If fasteners are inserted into the cabinet structure to attach doors, then door attachment is achieved, but the vacuum integrity and insulative efficiency of the insulation cavity is compromised due to gas seepage
Solution Approach 1:
The cabinet structure is segmented into distinct sealed cavities: the insulation cavity and the encapsulation cavity. The encapsulation member creates a separate sealed space that isolates the fastener penetration points from the vacuum insulation cavity, allowing fasteners to be installed without compromising the vacuum integrity of the insulation cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
The encapsulation member acts as an intermediary structure between the external environment (where fasteners are installed) and the vacuum insulation cavity. It provides a sealed barrier that prevents gas seepage from fastener holes in the encapsulation cavity from reaching the insulation cavity, thus protecting the vacuum integrity while enabling door attachment.
2Reliability
If the encapsulation member is made impermeable to gases to maintain vacuum, then vacuum integrity is maintained, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The encapsulation member is constructed as a thin-walled structure made of sheet metal or polymer material that forms a sealed cavity. This thin-walled sealed structure provides the necessary gas impermeability to maintain vacuum integrity in the insulation cavity while avoiding the need for complex multi-layer or heavily reinforced structures, thus minimizing structural complexity.
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 configuration maintains the insulative efficiency and vacuum integrity of the insulation cavity while allowing for the secure attachment of doors, reducing heat transfer and preserving the vacuum, thus enhancing the overall performance and efficiency of the insulated cabinet structure.
Implementation Method 1
using materials like sheet metal or polymer that are impermeable to gases
Implementation Method 2
An insulation cavity is disposed between the wrapper, the liner, and the trim breaker
Data Source
AI summary
A cabinet structure includes a wrapper that is spaced apart from a liner. A trim breaker is coupled to the wrapper and the liner. An insulation cavity is disposed between the wrapper, the liner, and the trim breaker. An encapsulation member is disposed rearwardly of the trim breaker and defines an encapsulation cavity that is separated from the insulation cavity. The encapsulation member is free from openings. A hinge support is operably coupled to the encapsulation member to further define the encapsulation cavity. The hinge support has a lower frame portion that extends perpendicularly along the trim breaker. The hinge support is disposed forwardly of the trim breaker.