Thin-Walled Vacuum Insulation With Channel-Based Thermal Bridge Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum insulated refrigerator structures face heat transfer issues due to thermal bridges between the wrapper and liner, which compromise insulation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a thermal bridge with elongated channels and protrusions to position and seal the edges of the wrapper and liner, filled with curable sealant and porous material, followed by vacuum formation to maintain insulation, utilizing materials like polymers and silica powder to reduce heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the wrapper and liner are spaced apart to form a cavity filled with insulating material, then insulation performance is improved, but heat transfer through thermal bridges between wrapper and liner worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the thermal bridge connection between the wrapper and liner by spacing them apart to form a vacuum cavity. This eliminates the direct thermal conduction path that would otherwise transfer heat from the outer wrapper to the inner liner, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining structural connection and preventing heat transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous vacuum insulating core material within the cavity between the wrapper and liner. This porous structure maintains the vacuum environment while providing structural support, effectively reducing heat transfer through the insulation layer without creating thermal bridges, thus improving insulation efficiency while minimizing energy loss.
2Strength
If the wrapper and liner are connected directly for structural stability, then structural integrity is improved, but heat transfer increases due to thermal bridge formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the direct structural connection (thermal bridge) between wrapper and liner by introducing a vacuum cavity. Structural integrity is maintained through alternative means such as the vacuum pressure differential and porous core material support, while eliminating the heat conduction path that would compromise insulation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction with the wrapper, vacuum cavity, porous insulating core material, and liner forming a multi-layer composite structure. This composite design provides both structural integrity through the layered assembly and thermal insulation through the vacuum and porous material layers, resolving the contradiction between strength and heat transfer prevention.
3Reliability
If sealant is used to seal the cavity between wrapper and liner, then vacuum maintenance is improved, but the sealing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sealing function with the structural connection by using sealant applied at the overlapping edges of the wrapper and liner. This integrated approach simultaneously achieves vacuum sealing and structural bonding in a single process step, maintaining reliability while minimizing process complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealant is positioned to extend around and encapsulate the edges of the wrapper and liner, creating a self-sealing mechanism that maintains the vacuum cavity. The sealant's placement at the edge overlap allows it to automatically form a continuous seal as the components are assembled, reducing the need for additional sealing operations or complex sealing mechanisms.
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
Effectively minimizes heat transfer between the wrapper and liner, enhancing insulation efficiency and maintaining a vacuum within the cavity.
Implementation Method 1
A vacuum is formed in the cavity, and the cavity is sealed to maintain the vacuum
Implementation Method 2
Curable sealant is positioned in the first and second channels. The curable sealant may extend around, and encapsulate, the first and second edges to seal the cavity
Implementation Method 3
An insulating thermal bridge is positioned across the gap. Effectively minimizes heat transfer between the wrapper and the liner
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum insulated refrigerator structure includes an outer wrapper having a first opening and a first edge extending around the first opening. A liner has a second opening and second edge extending around the second opening. The liner is disposed inside the wrapper with the first and second edges being spaced apart to form a gap therebetween. An insulating thermal bridge extends across the gap, and an airtight vacuum cavity is formed between the wrapper and the liner. The thermal bridge includes elongated first and second channels having sealant disposed therein, and the first and second edges are disposed in the first and second channels, respectively. Porous core material may be disposed in the vacuum cavity.