Vacuum adiabatic module and refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum adiabatic technologies for refrigerators face challenges in achieving effective heat insulation due to difficulties in maintaining a stable vacuum state, preventing heat transfer at contact points, and ensuring structural integrity, which limits their application to general household refrigerators.
Innovation Solution
A modular vacuum adiabatic module design featuring an inner and outer cover with a conductive resistance sheet to reduce thermal conduction, a reinforcement frame for structural support, and a coupling mechanism to facilitate easy assembly and prevent cool air leakage, allowing for improved adiabatic efficiency and reduced fabrication costs.
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 of the refrigerator is increased, but heat transfer at contact portions between inner and outer cases occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A conductive resistance sheet is introduced as an intermediary component at the contact portions between the inner case and outer case. This sheet acts as a thermal bridge with high thermal resistance, preventing direct heat transfer while allowing the vacuum adiabatic body to maintain its volume-expanding function without compromising insulation performance at critical contact points.
2Loss of energy
If a foam urethane adiabatic wall with thickness of 30 cm or more is provided, then adiabatic performance is improved, but the internal volume of the refrigerator is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state parameter by creating a vacuum environment within the adiabatic body, replacing the need for thick foam material. The vacuum state eliminates gas molecules that would otherwise conduct heat, achieving superior insulation with significantly reduced material thickness and increased internal volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The adiabatic structure combines multiple materials and approaches: vacuum space for primary insulation, conductive resistance sheet for contact portion insulation, and selective foam filling only where vacuum cannot be maintained. This composite approach optimizes both insulation performance and space utilization.
3Ease of manufacture
If all walls are fabricated using a single vacuum adiabatic body, then fabrication is simplified, but it is difficult to maintain stable vacuum state and prevent deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum adiabatic body is segmented into multiple independent components: inner case, outer case, conductive resistance sheets at contact portions, and selective foam filling in specific regions. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and reduces the risk of vacuum failure affecting the entire structure, improving reliability while maintaining fabrication simplicity.
4Ease of operation
If vacuum adiabatic panels are fixed to a frame, then modular assembly is enabled, but coupling is difficult and adiabatic loss occurs at gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the vacuum adiabatic panels with the frame structure by providing coupling protrusions and recesses that integrate the two components. This merging eliminates gaps between panels and frames, preventing adiabatic loss while maintaining modular assembly advantages. The conductive resistance sheets are also integrated into the coupling mechanism to maintain thermal insulation at connection points.
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 modular design enhances adiabatic performance, reduces energy consumption, and simplifies the fabrication process while maintaining structural integrity, making it suitable for general household refrigerators.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum space which is defined as inner spaces of the outer cover and the inner cover and is in a vacuum state
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum adiabatic body is a product for suppressing heat transfer by vacuuming the inside of a main body
Implementation Method 3
a conductive resistance sheet provided on a connection portion between the inner cover and the outer cover to resist to thermal conduction
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a vacuum adiabatic module. The vacuum adiabatic module include an inner cover corresponding to an inner space, an outer cover corresponding to an outer space, the outer cover being provided to be larger than the inner cover, a vacuum space which is defined as inner spaces of the outer cover and the inner cover and is in a vacuum state, and a conductive resistance sheet provided on a connection portion between the inner cover and the outer cover to resist to thermal conduction. According to this embodiment, the vacuum adiabatic module may be more conveniently applied to the refrigerator and easily handled to easily fabricate the refrigerator.