Refrigerator Insulation Strip for Side-Wall Thermal Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigeration appliances with metal inner and outer walls face challenges in thermal insulation due to high thermal conductivity, leading to inefficient energy utilization and temperature equalization, with existing insulation foams unable to completely prevent heat input, resulting in uneven temperature distribution within the appliance.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a thermally insulating strip made of poorly conductive material, such as plastic, which is strategically placed between the side walls and the front frame, and optionally includes reinforcement frames and spacer ribs to further reduce heat conduction, while also serving as a mechanical reinforcement and sealing mechanism during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal inner walls and outer walls are used, then structural strength and durability are improved, but thermal conductivity increases leading to heat transfer and energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a front frame made of thermally insulating material (such as plastic or foam) positioned between the metal inner walls and outer walls. This intermediary component breaks the direct thermal bridge while maintaining structural integrity, thereby reducing heat transfer without compromising the strength provided by metal walls.
2Loss of energy
If insulation foam is used to reduce heat input, then thermal insulation is improved, but the side walls become cooler than surroundings and temperature distribution becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thermal insulation function by introducing separate insulating components: the front frame for breaking thermal bridges and additional insulating strips specifically for side walls. This segmentation allows different regions to have optimized insulation, preventing excessive cooling of side walls while maintaining overall thermal efficiency and more uniform temperature distribution.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the rear wall is made warmer by placing the condenser there, then heat dissipation is improved, but heat transfer to side walls increases reducing insulation effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces insulating strips as intermediary thermal barriers between the rear wall (where the condenser is located) and the side walls. These strips prevent direct heat conduction from the warm rear wall to the cooler side walls, allowing effective heat dissipation at the rear while maintaining thermal insulation effectiveness in other regions.
4Ease of manufacture
If direct thermal bridge between inner and outer walls is created, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but thermal insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a front frame as an intermediary component between inner and outer walls. This front frame can be manufactured separately and then assembled, which while adding a component, simplifies the overall manufacturing process by allowing modular production and assembly, while simultaneously providing thermal insulation by breaking the direct thermal bridge.
5Loss of energy
If side walls are thermally decoupled from other walls, then thermal insulation is improved, but mechanical stability and structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction by combining metal walls for structural strength with thermally insulating materials (plastic or foam) for thermal isolation. The front frame and insulating strips create a composite structure that achieves both thermal decoupling and mechanical stability, as the insulating components are integrated into the overall structural framework rather than being separate attachments.
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 solution significantly reduces heat input into the appliance, improves thermal insulation, and enhances mechanical stability, allowing for better temperature control and energy efficiency by lengthening the heat conduction path and providing additional insulation layers, thereby improving the overall performance of refrigeration devices.
Implementation Method 1
The insulating strip is made of a poorly thermally conductive material, such as plastic
Implementation Method 2
The insulating strip represents a further heat conduction resistance, which makes temperature equalization on the housing more difficult and thus reduces heat input into the interior of the housing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a refrigeration device (1), in particular a refrigerator and/or freezer, comprising a housing (2) with a top (3), a base (4), lateral walls (5, 6) and a rear wall (41) as external walls (42), a door (9), an interior compartment (43) situated in the housing (2) and surrounded by internal walls (44) and a front frame (24) for thermally decoupling the internal walls (44) from the external walls, the lateral walls (5, 6) being thermally insulated from the other walls (3, 4, 41, 44) by an additional insulation strip (50). The invention is characterised in that the entry of heat from the exterior into the interior compartment (43) via the lateral walls (5, 6) can be significantly reduced by the thermal decoupling of said lateral walls, thus significantly increasing the efficiency of the refrigeration device (1).