Refrigerator Thermal Bridge Heat Loop for Vacuum Insulation Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vacuum insulated refrigerator structures face challenges in maintaining an airtight seal and reducing thermal conduction between components to prevent condensation and retain vacuum conditions effectively.

Innovation Solution

A thermal bridge system with a heat loop is integrated into the refrigerator design, using a thermal bridge made of low thermal conductivity materials that interconnects the wrapper and liners, creating a vacuum insulated cavity and circulating a heated medium to prevent condensation and maintain the vacuum.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the wrapper and liner are spaced apart to form a vacuum insulated cavity, then insulation efficiency is improved, but maintaining an airtight seal becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsulation efficiencyVSAvoidairtight seal

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A thermal bridge component acts as an intermediary element between the wrapper and liner. This component includes a channel that receives a seal member, creating an airtight seal while maintaining the spaced-apart relationship necessary for vacuum insulation. The thermal bridge serves as a mediator that simultaneously addresses both the sealing requirement and the insulation requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If thermal conduction between wrapper and liner is reduced to prevent condensation, then condensation prevention is improved, but structural connection becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecondensation preventionVSAvoidstructural connection

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal bridge component serves as a thermal intermediary with low thermal conductivity material, reducing heat transfer between the wrapper and liner to prevent condensation. Simultaneously, it provides structural connection through its physical integration with both components and the seal member, solving both the condensation prevention and structural connection requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermal bridge component utilizes composite construction with low thermal conductivity materials to achieve both thermal isolation and mechanical strength. The composite structure allows the component to function as both a thermal barrier and a structural connector between the wrapper and liner.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If a thermal bridge is used to interconnect wrapper and liner, then structural stability is improved, but thermal conduction increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidthermal conduction

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal bridge is constructed from composite materials with low thermal conductivity, allowing it to provide structural stability while minimizing thermal conduction. The material composition is specifically selected to maintain structural integrity without creating significant thermal bridges between the wrapper and liner.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

The solution effectively reduces heat transfer between the wrapper and liners, maintains an airtight seal, and prevents condensation, enhancing the insulation efficiency and vacuum retention in refrigerator structures.

Implementation Method 1

A liner is spaced-apart from the wrapper to define a vacuum insulated cavity therebetween

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum insulation: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

A thermal bridge system with a heat loop is integrated into the refrigerator design, using a thermal bridge made of low thermal conductivity materials that interconnects the wrapper and liners

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

circulating a heated medium to prevent condensation and maintain the vacuum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation prevention through heating: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS20240271859A1Vacuum insulated structure with thermal bridge breaker with heat loop

Publication Date: 2024.08.15 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A refrigerator includes a wrapper having an opening with a front edge. A liner includes an opening and a front edge. A thermal bridge interconnects the wrapper and the liner to form a vacuum insulated cavity therebetween. The thermal bridge includes an outwardly opening channel and first and second inwardly opening channels. The front edge of wrapper is received in the first inwardly opening channel, and the front edge of the liner is received in the second inwardly opening channel. The second inwardly opening channel is inset relative to the first inwardly opening channel on the thermal bridge. A conduit is disposed within the outwardly opening channel and is configured to circulate a heated medium. The wrapper and liner are contemplated to be comprised of conductive materials, such sheet metal, while the thermal bridge is comprised of a thermally resistant material, such as a polymeric material.