Vacuum Adiabatic Refrigerator Wall for Stable Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum adiabatic technologies for refrigerators face challenges in achieving a sufficient adiabatic effect, maintaining a stable vacuum state, and preventing heat transfer at temperature contact points, which limits their application to general household refrigerators due to increased manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum adiabatic body design incorporating a first and second plate member with a sealing part, a supporting unit, and a heat resistance unit, featuring a multi-layered vacuum space structure with conductive and radiation resistance sheets, and a porous material to minimize heat transfer and maintain a stable vacuum state, allowing for efficient adiabatic performance and space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a foam urethane adiabatic wall with thickness of 30 cm or more is provided, then adiabatic performance is improved, but internal volume of the refrigerator is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies vacuum (extreme parameter change) instead of foam insulation, transforming the insulation medium from solid foam to vacuum state, thereby achieving superior adiabatic performance with minimal space occupation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a vacuum environment (inert atmosphere without gas molecules) within the adiabatic body to eliminate heat transfer through conduction and convection, achieving excellent thermal insulation without requiring thick walls
2Volume of stationary object
If a vacuum adiabatic body is applied to increase internal volume, then space utilization is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the adiabatic body into multiple plate members (first plate member, second plate member) with sealed vacuum spaces between them, allowing modular manufacturing and assembly while maintaining vacuum integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses plate members with sealing parts to create the vacuum structure, employing thin-walled yet sealed components that can be manufactured separately and assembled to form the complete adiabatic body
3Loss of energy
If walls are provided in a vacuum state, then adiabatic effect is improved, but heat transfer at contact portions and vacuum stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a supporting unit as an intermediary component between plate members to maintain vacuum space geometry and prevent direct contact between opposite surfaces, thereby eliminating heat conduction paths while preserving vacuum stability
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting unit counteracts the atmospheric pressure differential that would cause plate members to deform or contact each other, maintaining the vacuum space integrity and preventing heat transfer through contact portions
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 achieves a sufficient adiabatic effect, reduces manufacturing complexity, and enhances space utilization in refrigerators by minimizing heat transfer through optimized vacuum pressure management and structural configuration, improving energy efficiency and adiabatic performance.
Implementation Method 1
a third space having a temperature between a temperature of the first space and a temperature of the second space and being in a vacuum state
Implementation Method 2
a conductive resistance sheet for decreasing heat conduction between the first plate member and the second plate member
Implementation Method 3
a radiation resistance sheet for decreasing radiation between the first plate member and the second plate member
Implementation Method 4
a porous material for decreasing heat transfer through the vacuum space part
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum adiabatic body includes: a first plate member defining at least one portion of a wall for a first space; a second plate member defining at least one portion of a wall for a second space having a different temperature from the first space; a sealing part sealing the first plate member and the second plate member to provide a third space that has a temperature between the temperature of the first space and the temperature of the second space and is in a vacuum state; a supporting unit maintaining the third space; a heat resistance unit for decreasing a heat transfer amount between the first plate member and the second plate member; and an exhaust port through which a gas in the third space is exhausted, wherein the third space includes a first vacuum space part and a second vacuum space part having a lower height than the first vacuum space part, and an addition mounting part having parts mounted therein is provided at an outside of the second vacuum space part.