Vacuum Insulated Container Structure for Thermal Resistance and Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulating containers lack sufficient thermal resistance and storage capacity, and existing vacuum insulated panels are not optimized for manufacturing tolerances and structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
The insulating container incorporates vacuum insulated panels with foldable portions and a design that includes a base and lid structure with engaging flanges, utilizing polymers for structural elements and additional insulating materials to enhance thermal resistance and storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If vacuum insulated panels are used to improve thermal resistance, then thermal resistance is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to tolerance differences in panel width versus distance between walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the space between walls from vacuum to gas-filled, allowing the use of compressible insulation material that can adapt to manufacturing tolerances. This parameter change from vacuum to gas-filled enables the insulation system to accommodate variations in panel width while maintaining effective thermal resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous or fibrous insulation material that can be compressed to fit the available space between walls. This material's porous structure allows it to be compressed without losing insulating properties, enabling it to accommodate manufacturing tolerance variations in wall spacing while maintaining thermal resistance.
2Temperature
If thicker insulation panels are used to improve thermal resistance, then thermal resistance is improved, but storage capacity decreases due to reduced internal volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes from solid foam insulation to compressible fibrous or porous insulation that can be compressed into thinner profiles. This parameter change in material properties allows achieving the same thermal resistance with reduced thickness, thereby preserving more internal storage volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction with thin wall structures combined with highly efficient insulating materials. This composite approach allows minimizing the thickness of insulation layers while maintaining thermal resistance, maximizing the available storage volume within the container.
3Manufacturing precision
If compressible insulation material is used to accommodate manufacturing tolerances, then manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but thermal resistance may be compromised due to compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous or fibrous insulation material that maintains its insulating properties even when compressed. The porous structure allows compression to fit tolerance variations while the trapped air pockets and material morphology preserve thermal resistance effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent selects insulation materials with specific compressibility parameters that allow them to be compressed without significant loss of thermal resistance. By changing the material parameter from rigid foam to compressible fibrous material, the system accommodates manufacturing tolerances while maintaining thermal performance.
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 provides improved thermal resistance and storage capacity by utilizing polymers with high thermal resistivity and vacuum insulated panels, optimizing manufacturing tolerances and structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
vacuum insulated panels
Implementation Method 2
utilizing polymers for structural elements and additional insulating materials to enhance thermal resistance
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
Systems and methods for making an insulating container having at least one cavity in a lid insulating structure or base insulating structure and having at least one vacuum insulated panel disposed within the at least one cavity.