Refrigerator Vacuum Insulation with Pipe Connection for Compact Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators rely on thick insulating materials between the inner and outer cases, which increase the size of the refrigerator, and struggle with maintaining airtight connections for drainage pipes in vacuum systems.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design that forms a vacuum space between the inner and outer cases to enhance insulation, using a connection pipe that can withstand vacuum pressure and reduce heat transfer, while maintaining the structural integrity and compact size.
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 removes the insulating material from the space between inner and outer cases, creating a vacuum space instead. This extraction of the traditional insulation medium eliminates the need for thick insulating layers while maintaining insulation performance, thereby reducing refrigerator size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the space between cases from solid (insulating material) to vacuum (evacuated space). This parameter change from having matter present to having vacuum creates superior insulation with minimal space requirements, resolving the contradiction between insulation effect and size.
2Ease of manufacture
If plastic pipe is used to pass through vacuum space, then ease of manufacture is improved, but airtight state cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a grommet as an intermediary component between the pipe and the vacuum space. This grommet serves as a sealing mediator that allows the pipe to pass through while maintaining the airtight state of the vacuum space, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining the plastic pipe with a grommet seal. This composite approach integrates the ease of plastic pipe installation with the airtight sealing capability of the grommet, simultaneously achieving both manufacturing ease and reliability.
3Strength
If metal pipe is used to pass through vacuum space, then strength is improved, but heat transfer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible bellows structure in the pipe design that passes through the vacuum space. This bellows structure provides mechanical strength and flexibility while minimizing thermal conduction, as the corrugated thin-walled structure interrupts heat transfer paths, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and heat transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the pipe structure from a straight rigid form to a bellows configuration with multiple folds. This dimensional change creates a longer, more complex heat transfer path while maintaining structural strength, effectively reducing thermal conduction through the pipe.
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 compared to conventional materials, allowing for a compact refrigerator design with improved durability against external shocks and reduced heat transfer.
Implementation Method 1
an insulating vacuum space provided between the inner case and the outer case
Implementation Method 2
the vacuum space...configured to insulate the inner case from the outer case
Implementation Method 3
heat transfer might be generated via the pipe and an insulation performance of the refrigerator might be deteriorated accordingly
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.