Vacuum Adiabatic Panel Structure for Stable Insulation and Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum adiabatic technologies for refrigerators face challenges in achieving a sufficient adiabatic effect while maintaining a stable vacuum state and preventing heat transfer at temperature contact points, leading to increased manufacturing costs and complexity, as well as limited applicability to household refrigerators.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum adiabatic body comprising a first and second plate member, a sealing part, a supporting unit, and a heat resistance unit, with an extending part to couple with the supporting unit, which maintains a vacuum state and reduces heat transfer between the plate members, utilizing conductive and radiation resistance sheets to enhance adiabatic performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a foam urethane adiabatic wall with thickness of about 30 cm or more is provided, then adiabatic performance is improved, but internal volume of the refrigerator is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadiabatic performanceVSAvoidinternal volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the adiabatic medium from solid foam to vacuum, fundamentally altering the heat transfer parameters. By creating a vacuum environment between the inner and outer cases, the patent eliminates convective and conductive heat transfer, achieving superior adiabatic performance with minimal thickness, thus preserving internal volume while improving insulation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If additional foaming is performed to finish the exterior, then adiabatic performance is improved, but manufacturing cost is increased and manufacturing method is complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadiabatic performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the adiabatic function with the structural case design by making the outer case itself serve as the adiabatic barrier through vacuum insulation. This eliminates the need for separate foaming processes and additional adiabatic layers, simplifying the manufacturing method while maintaining effective adiabatic performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of stationary object

If a vacuum adiabatic body is applied, then internal volume is increased, but it is difficult to prevent deformation of the cases due to sound pressure in the vacuum state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal volumeVSAvoidcase deformation resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies supporting units that act as counterforces to the atmospheric pressure acting on the vacuum space. These supporting units provide mechanical support to the inner case, counterbalancing the external atmospheric pressure and preventing case deformation, thereby enabling the vacuum adiabatic structure to maintain its shape and integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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 achieves a significant adiabatic effect with reduced heat transfer, maintaining a stable vacuum state and improving manufacturing efficiency, allowing for broader application in household refrigerators and other apparatuses.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum space part (50) defined as a gap part between the first and second plate members (110, 120)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

a conductive resistance sheet (60) for preventing heat conduction between the first and second plate members (110, 120)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

a radiation resistance sheet (32) for reducing heat radiation between the first and second plate members (110, 120) through the vacuum space part (50)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal Radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3332193B1Vacuum adiabatic body
Publication Date: 2021.11.17 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3332193B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3332193B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3332193B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

A vacuum adiabatic body includes: a first plate member; a second plate member; a sealing part; a supporting unit; a heat resistance unit; and an exhaust port, wherein an extending part extending toward the third space to be coupled to the supporting unit is provided to at least one of the first and second plate members, and the extending part is formed to extend downward from an edge portion of the at least one of the first and second plate members.