Trim breaker interface for reducing air infiltration in a vacuum insulated appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum insulated appliances face challenges in reducing air infiltration, which compromises their thermal efficiency and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A foam gasket is coupled to a trim breaker assembly, routed along the perimeter of compartments, and compressed by engagement members to form seals, thereby reducing air infiltration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a vacuum insulated structure is used, then thermal efficiency is improved, but air infiltration occurs at the interface between components
Solution Approach 1:
A foam gasket is introduced as an intermediary sealing element at the interface between the trim breaker assembly and engagement members. The foam gasket material is selected to be compatible with both components while providing effective sealing against air infiltration, thus protecting the vacuum insulated structure without compromising its thermal efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The foam gasket is configured as a flexible sealing element that can deform to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations. This flexibility allows the gasket to maintain continuous contact with both the trim breaker assembly and engagement members, creating an effective barrier against air infiltration at the interface
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a seal is created using foam gasket and engagement members, then air infiltration is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foam gasket is integrated directly with the trim breaker assembly through adhesive bonding, creating a pre-assembled unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate gasket installation steps and reduces the number of discrete components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective sealing
Solution Approach 2:
The foam gasket is designed to be self-compressing through the natural clamping force generated when engagement members are installed. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional compression devices or complex sealing mechanisms, reducing device complexity while ensuring effective sealing against air infiltration
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 effectively minimizes air leakage, enhancing the thermal performance and energy efficiency of vacuum insulated appliances by creating a robust seal.
Implementation Method 1
At least one engagement member is configured to couple to the trim breaker assembly and define a seal by compressing the at least one foam gasket between the at least one engagement member and the trim breaker assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum insulated refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a refrigerator compartment. The cabinet includes a liner, a wrapper, and a trim breaker assembly coupled to the liner and the wrapper. The trim breaker assembly extends along a perimeter of the refrigerator compartment and includes a mullion region. At least one foam gasket is coupled to at least one surface of the trim breaker assembly and is routed from a first end of the mullion region, along a portion of the perimeter of the refrigerator compartment, and to a second end of the mullion region. The at least one surface of the trim breaker assembly is at least one of an outer surface, a side surface, and an inner surface. At least one engagement member is coupled to the trim breaker assembly to define a seal by compressing the at least one foam gasket therebetween.