Systems and methods for a vacuum insulated panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vacuum insulated panels face thermal conductivity issues due to spacers that create pathways for heat transfer, and cooler assemblies experience inefficient heat transfer through doors, leading to increased energy consumption, especially when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum insulated panel with convex sheets that flatten into a parallel planar configuration when a vacuum is applied, reducing the need for spacers and enhancing thermal properties, and a cooler assembly with a screen that provides a heat transfer barrier to minimize heat transfer through the door.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If spacers are positioned between opposing glass sheets to prevent collapse, then structural stability is improved, but thermal insulation deteriorates due to heat pathways
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes spacers from the vacuum insulated panel design entirely. Instead of using spacers to maintain the vacuum cavity, the invention uses a flexible membrane that can be sealed to the frame, eliminating the need for spacers and their associated heat conduction pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible membrane as one of the opposing sheets. This membrane can deform to accommodate the vacuum pressure without requiring rigid spacers, allowing the panel to maintain its vacuum seal while minimizing thermal bridges.
2Loss of energy
If a vacuum is created between glass sheets to improve thermal properties, then thermal insulation is improved, but the glass sheets are drawn inward causing potential collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible membrane that can withstand vacuum pressure without collapsing. The membrane's flexibility allows it to deform under vacuum pressure while maintaining its structural integrity and sealing the cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved or domed surfaces on the glass sheets and membrane. These curved geometries are structurally stronger under vacuum pressure than flat surfaces, resisting the inward force and preventing collapse.
3Illumination intensity
If a transparent door is used in cooler assembly to enable viewing, then visibility is improved, but thermal conductivity increases leading to higher energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure for the cooler door, combining transparent materials with insulating materials. This allows the door to maintain visibility while reducing thermal conductivity and minimizing heat transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds an additional insulating layer or cavity within the door structure. By creating a multi-layered door with air gaps or insulating cores, the design maintains transparency while adding thermal resistance in the thickness dimension.
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 the thermal efficiency of vacuum insulated panels by eliminating spacer-induced heat pathways and reduces energy consumption by minimizing heat transfer through cooler assembly doors, even when not in use.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum formed within the cavity. The vacuum may be configured to at least partially flatten the first convex sheet and the second convex sheet into a substantially parallel planar configuration
Implementation Method 2
In order to increase the thermal properties of the vacuum insulated glass panel, a vacuum may be created between the opposing glass sheets. The vacuum between the opposing glass sheets, however, may tend to draw the opposing glass sheets inward towards each other in a biconcave manner
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum insulated panel is disclosed herein. According to an embodiment, the vacuum insulated panel may include a frame having a first side and a second side. The vacuum insulated panel also may include a first convex sheet positioned about the first side of the frame and a second convex sheet positioned about the second side of the frame. Moreover, the vacuum insulated panel may include a cavity formed between the first convex sheet and the second convex sheet. Further, the vacuum insulated panel may include a vacuum formed within the cavity. The vacuum may be configured to at least partially flatten the first convex sheet and the second convex sheet into a substantially parallel planar configuration.