Refrigerator Vacuum Insulation with Connection Pipe for Compact Size
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators face challenges in achieving effective insulation while maintaining a compact size, as thick insulating materials increase the refrigerator's size, and existing solutions for frost removal and pipe connections in vacuum systems fail to maintain airtightness and insulation performance.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a vacuum space between the inner and outer cases, with a corrugated metal connection pipe that withstands vacuum pressure and reduces heat transfer, and a support structure to maintain the distance between cases, allowing for drainage and refrigerant pipes to pass through without compromising insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If thick insulating material is used between inner and outer cases, then insulation effect is improved, but refrigerator size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the insulation medium from solid (foaming agent) to vacuum by removing gas molecules. This parameter change from having a material medium to having a vacuum enables superior insulation performance while reducing the thickness of the insulation layer, thus solving the contradiction between insulation effect and refrigerator size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the gas molecules from the space between inner and outer cases to create a vacuum environment. By taking out the insulating material (foaming agent) and replacing it with vacuum, the system achieves better insulation with reduced thickness, resolving the contradiction between insulation effectiveness and compact size.
2Ease of manufacture
If plastic pipe is used to pass through vacuum space, then ease of manufacture is improved, but airtightness at connection area deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure where a metal pipe (capable of withstanding vacuum pressure) is combined with sealing elements. The metal pipe provides structural integrity under vacuum pressure while sealing components ensure airtightness at connection points, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and airtightness reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sealing elements as intermediaries between the pipe and the vacuum space. These sealing components act as mediators that maintain airtightness at connection areas while allowing the pipe to pass through the vacuum space, solving the contradiction between ease of installation and airtightness.
3Reliability
If metal pipe is used to pass through vacuum space, then airtightness is improved, but heat transfer increases and insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the metal pipe into multiple sections with vacuum insulation layers or air gaps between them. This segmentation interrupts the continuous thermal conduction path, reducing heat transfer through the pipe while maintaining airtightness. The pipe is divided into segments that break the thermal bridge effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thermal insulation materials or air gaps as intermediaries between the metal pipe and the vacuum space. These intermediary layers reduce direct thermal contact, minimizing heat transfer through the pipe while the pipe itself maintains airtightness for drainage and refrigerant functions.
4Loss of energy
If vacuum space is formed between inner and outer cases, then insulation effect is improved, but structural strength to withstand vacuum pressure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved or arched structural designs in the inner and outer cases. The curved geometry distributes vacuum pressure more evenly across the structure, enhancing structural strength and resistance to deformation. This curvature principle allows the vacuum space to maintain both insulation effectiveness and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structures for the inner and outer cases, combining materials with different mechanical properties. This composite construction enhances the overall structural strength to withstand vacuum pressure while maintaining the vacuum space for insulation, resolving the contradiction between insulation effect and structural strength.
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 vacuum space provides superior insulation, reducing the refrigerator's size while maintaining storage capacity, and the connection pipe's design enhances durability against external shocks and minimizes heat transfer.
Implementation Method 1
an insulating vacuum space is provided between the inner case and the outer case
Implementation Method 2
the vacuum space provides superior insulation, reducing the refrigerator's size while maintaining storage capacity
Implementation Method 3
the connection pipe's design enhances durability against external shocks and minimizes heat transfer
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator including an inner case, an outer case, and a vacuum space provided between the inner case and the outer case to insulate the inner case from the outer case. The inner case defines an exterior appearance of a storage space, with a communication hole formed therein. The outer case is spaced apart a predetermined distance from the inner case, and a communication is formed at a position corresponding to the communication hole of the inner case. A connection pipe passes through the vacuum space to connect the communication hole of the inner case and the communication hole of the outer case with each other.