Vacuum Adiabatic Body Structure for Thin Refrigerator Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators face challenges with heat insulation methods, such as polyurethane foam and vacuum adiabatic panels, which either reduce internal volume or require complex embedding processes, and often result in increased weight and deformation.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum adiabatic body comprising two metal plates with different thicknesses, sealed by quartz glass sealing members, which reduces convective heat transfer and maintains structural stability while minimizing space occupation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If polyurethane foam is used for heat insulation, then adiabatic effect is improved, but internal volume is reduced due to required thickness of 30 cm or more
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the insulation medium from solid foam to vacuum (gas phase removal), achieving superior insulation with minimal thickness. The vacuum adiabatic panel uses a vacuum barrier layer to prevent gas molecule movement, reducing heat transfer by conduction and convection while occupying minimal space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining vacuum barrier layer, support members, and sealing members to form a vacuum adiabatic panel. This composite design integrates multiple functions: vacuum maintenance, structural support, and thermal insulation, achieving high insulation performance with reduced thickness compared to conventional foam.
2Volume of stationary object
If vacuum adiabatic panel is used, then internal volume is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to embedding requirement in polyurethane foam layer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vacuum adiabatic panel with the refrigerator box body structure, where the panel serves as both insulation layer and structural component. The support members are integrated into the panel design, and sealing members are incorporated at the edges, creating a unified structure that eliminates the need for separate embedding processes.
3Volume of stationary object
If vacuum adiabatic panel is used, then internal volume is improved, but structural stability deteriorates due to thin thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vacuum adiabatic panel into functional components: vacuum barrier layer for insulation, support members for structural integrity, and sealing members for vacuum maintenance. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while working together to maintain overall structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a vacuum barrier layer (thin film) to maintain vacuum condition while providing insulation. The barrier layer is designed to be thin yet effective, working in conjunction with support members to maintain structural stability without requiring excessive thickness.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional heat insulation methods are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but weight increases due to thick insulation layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the insulation medium from dense solid foam to vacuum, dramatically reducing material density and weight. The vacuum adiabatic panel achieves superior insulation performance with minimal thickness, resulting in significant weight reduction compared to conventional thick foam layers.
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 reduces heat transfer and maintains structural integrity, making it suitable for built-in refrigerators by optimizing plate thickness and sealing methods to enhance adiabatic performance and space utilization.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum cavity being defined among the first plate, the second plate and the sealing members
Implementation Method 2
convective heat transfer may be reduced by vacuumizing between two plates sealingly connected
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum adiabatic body and a refrigerator having the vacuum adiabatic body. The vacuum adiabatic body comprises: a first plate, the first plate having a first thickness; a second plate spaced apart from the first plate in an opposite manner, the second plate having a second thickness, and the first thickness being greater than the second thickness; and sealing members arranged between the first plate and the second plate and configured to seal and fix the first plate and the second plate, a vacuum cavity being defined among the first plate, the second plate, and the sealing members. According to the vacuum adiabatic body, convection heat transfer can be reduced by vacuumizing between two plates which are sealingly connected; and the whole vacuum insulation body is stable in structure and not too heavy.