Vacuum adiabatic body and refrigerator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum adiabatic technologies for refrigerators face challenges in maintaining the shape of supporting units, manufacturing and handling complexity, high fabrication costs, and low product yield due to difficulties in achieving a stable vacuum state and preventing heat transfer at temperature interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum adiabatic body design featuring a supporting unit with side plates that can be easily manufactured and handled, using a resin material like polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) with low outgassing and water absorption rates, and conductive resistance sheets to maintain a vacuum state and reduce heat transfer, while allowing for modular assembly and reduced material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If a vacuum adiabatic body is applied to increase internal volume, then the internal volume is increased, but it is difficult to maintain a stable vacuum state and prevent heat transfer at contact portions
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting unit is divided into multiple plate members (first plate member, second plate member, third plate member) that are coupled together to form a modular structure. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing and assembly while maintaining the vacuum state stability through precise coupling structures that prevent heat transfer at contact portions.
Solution Approach 2:
Conductive resistance sheets are introduced as intermediary elements at the contact portions between plate members. These sheets serve as thermal barriers that prevent heat transfer while maintaining the structural integrity and vacuum seal, thus preventing heat transfer at contact portions between outer and inner cases having different temperatures.
2Loss of energy
If a vacuum adiabatic body with sufficient vacuum is provided, then adiabatic effect is improved, but it is difficult to prevent deformation due to negative pressure and maintain stable vacuum state
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting unit structure is designed in advance with multiple coupled plate members that are pre-configured to withstand vacuum pressure. The coupling structures between plate members are designed to distribute and bear the negative pressure loads, preventing deformation before the vacuum state is established.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the supporting unit have different structural characteristics. The plate members are designed with specific thicknesses and coupling structures at critical locations to provide enhanced local strength where vacuum pressure acts, while maintaining overall structural stability to prevent deformation.
3Manufacturing precision
If supporting unit shape is maintained in designed shape, then manufacturing precision is improved, but manufacturing and handling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting unit is segmented into multiple standardizable plate members that can be manufactured separately with consistent shapes and dimensions. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing and handling of individual components while maintaining the overall designed shape through precise coupling structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate members are designed with universal coupling structures (male and female coupling structures) that can be standardized across different applications. This universality simplifies manufacturing processes and handling procedures while ensuring the supporting unit maintains its designed shape through consistent assembly procedures.
4Loss of energy
If foam urethane adiabatic wall with thickness of 30 cm or more is provided, then adiabatic performance is improved, but internal volume is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The adiabatic structure transitions from a solid foam material to a vacuum-based system. By changing the physical state from solid (foam) to vacuum (gas phase removal), the adiabatic performance is dramatically improved while minimizing the space required for the insulation layer, thus increasing internal volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The air and gas molecules are extracted from the adiabatic space between the outer and inner cases, creating a vacuum environment. This extraction of gas molecules eliminates the medium for heat transfer, providing superior adiabatic performance without requiring thick insulation layers, thereby preserving internal volume.
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 design improves the shape retention and manufacturing ease of supporting units, reduces fabrication costs, and enhances the adiabatic performance by minimizing heat transfer through the use of PPS and conductive resistance sheets, leading to improved yield and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum space part (50) provided between the first plate member (10) and second plate member (20) in a vacuum state
Implementation Method 2
a supporting unit (30) that supports an interval between the first plate member (10) and second plate member (20)
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum adiabatic body and a refrigerator are provided. The vacuum adiabatic body includes a support that maintains a vacuum space between a first plate and a second plate. The support includes a first support plate provided by coupling at least two partial plates to support one of the first plate or the second plate, and a second support plate that supports the other one of the first plate or the second plate.