Refrigerator Sidewall Insulation Strip for Thermal Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigeration devices with metallic inner and outer walls face challenges in thermal insulation due to high thermal conductivity, leading to inefficient energy usage and uneven temperature distribution within the device.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a plastic insulating strip that thermally decouples the lateral walls from the other outer and inner walls, along with a reinforcement frame and sealing fins, to reduce heat conduction and enhance insulation, allowing for improved thermal and mechanical stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metallic inner walls and outer walls are used, then structural strength is improved, but thermal insulation deteriorates due to high thermal conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into inner walls and outer walls that are thermally decoupled using plastic insulating strips at corners and edges. This segmentation breaks the continuous metal path, reducing thermal conductivity while maintaining structural integrity through separate functional zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing combines metallic inner walls and outer walls with plastic insulating strips to create a composite structure. The metal provides strength while the plastic provides thermal insulation, achieving both structural strength and energy efficiency through material composition.
2Loss of energy
If insulating foam is used between inner and outer walls, then thermal insulation is improved, but complete heat suppression deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation system is segmented into insulating foam for bulk thermal resistance and plastic insulating strips for targeted thermal decoupling at heat bridge locations (corners and edges), achieving more complete heat suppression through divided insulation zones.
3Stability of the object's composition
If lateral walls are thermally coupled to other walls, then structural stability is improved, but temperature equalization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral walls are thermally segmented from other walls using plastic insulating strips at junctions, allowing each wall to maintain its own temperature profile while remaining structurally connected, thus preventing unwanted temperature equalization while preserving structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Plastic insulating strips act as intermediary elements between lateral walls and other walls, providing thermal decoupling while maintaining structural connection. These intermediaries allow structural stability without direct thermal coupling.
4Loss of energy
If plastic front frame is used for thermal decoupling, then thermal insulation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal decoupling is segmented into modular plastic insulating strips positioned at specific locations (corners and edges) rather than requiring a complete complex insulation system, reducing overall device complexity through localized simple solutions.
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 transfer into the inner chamber, enhances energy efficiency, and simplifies the manufacturing process by using the insulating strip to create an additional insulation layer, especially when integrated into furniture units.
Implementation Method 1
the lateral walls being thermally insulated from the other walls by a further insulating strip (50)
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration device, in particular a refrigerator and/or freezer, includes a housing with a top, a base, lateral walls and a rear wall as external walls, a door, an interior compartment situated in the housing and surrounded by internal walls and a front frame for thermally decoupling the internal walls from the external walls, the lateral walls being thermally insulated from the other walls by an additional insulation strip. The invention is characterized in that the entry of heat from the exterior into the interior compartment via the lateral walls can be significantly reduced by the thermal decoupling of the lateral walls, thus significantly increasing the efficiency of the refrigeration device.