Refrigerator Vacuum Insulation Panel Frame Assembly to Eliminate Foam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators rely on a combination of urethane foam insulation and vacuum insulation panels to maintain rigidity and assemblability, which limits the improvement of heat insulation performance.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design utilizing a vacuum insulation module composed of a vacuum insulation panel with a sealed envelope and a core material, supported by an inner and outer frame structure that eliminates the need for urethane foam insulation, enhancing heat insulation performance and allowing for increased storage space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If vacuum insulation panel is used to improve heat insulation performance, then heat insulation performance is improved, but rigidity of the refrigerator body deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines vacuum insulation panels with a frame structure made of rigid materials (such as metal or rigid plastic) to create a composite refrigerator body. The frame provides the necessary rigidity and structural support, while the vacuum insulation panels provide superior thermal insulation. This composite approach allows the refrigerator to achieve both high insulation performance and adequate structural strength without relying on urethane foam.
2Loss of energy
If vacuum insulation panel is used to enhance heat insulation, then heat insulation performance is improved, but assemblability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerator body is divided into modular segments: a separate frame structure and separate vacuum insulation panels. The frame is assembled first to provide the structural skeleton, and then the vacuum insulation panels are inserted into the frame's cavities. This segmentation allows for easier assembly compared to traditional foam injection methods, as the panels can be simply fitted into place without requiring complex foaming processes or curing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure serves as an intermediary element that facilitates the assembly of vacuum insulation panels. The frame provides a ready-made cavity structure that receives and secures the insulation panels, acting as a mediator between the structural requirements and the insulation requirements. This intermediary frame makes the overall assembly process more manageable and easier to manufacture.
3Strength
If urethane foam insulation is used to maintain rigidity, then rigidity is maintained, but heat insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rigidity function from the urethane foam insulation and assigns it to a dedicated frame structure. By separating the structural support function from the insulation function, the refrigerator can use superior vacuum insulation panels without compromising rigidity. The frame takes out the rigidity requirement, allowing the insulation panels to focus solely on thermal performance.
4Strength
If combination of urethane foam and vacuum insulation panel is used to maintain rigidity, then rigidity is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the structural support function from the insulation system and assigns it to a dedicated frame structure. This separation simplifies the overall design by eliminating the need for complex hybrid insulation systems. The frame provides all necessary rigidity, allowing the use of simple vacuum insulation panels without requiring additional reinforcing structures or complex assembly procedures.
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 improves heat insulation performance and reduces cold loss by using only vacuum insulation panels, increasing storage space and simplifying assembly by eliminating the need for urethane foaming processes.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum insulation panel having an envelope whose inside is sealed in a vacuum state and a core material provided inside the envelop
Implementation Method 2
to insulate the storage compartment
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a refrigerator having an inner case, a storage compartment formed in the inner case, an outer case provided outside the inner case, an inner frame coupled to an outer surface of the inner case to support the inner case, an outer frame coupled to an inner surface of the outer case to support the outer case, and a vacuum insulation panel provided between the inner case and the outer case to insulate the storage compartment and supported by the inner frame and the outer frame. The refrigerator can be assembled without foaming insulation and maintain rigidity.