Vacuum Double Structure Heat Treat Furnace Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing vacuum double structures face limitations in enhancing heat insulating properties due to the constraints on enlarging the diameter of the O-ring sealing member, which also increases contact areas and promotes heat transfer, thereby limiting the improvement in thermal insulation.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum double structure incorporating an annular spacer with first and second annular packing materials accommodated in grooves on the spacer, allowing for increased distance between inner and outer wall members without enlarging the O-ring diameter, and utilizing a resin spacer supported by metal belt-shaped rings to prevent buckling and minimize heat transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the O-ring diameter is enlarged to increase the distance between inner and outer wall members, then heat insulating properties are improved, but the contact area between the O-ring and wall members increases which promotes heat transfer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat insulating propertiesVSAvoidcontact area of sealing member
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing member is divided into multiple segments: an annular spacer that maintains the distance between walls, and multiple annular packing materials positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows the distance-maintaining function and sealing function to be separated, enabling improved insulation without excessive contact area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The annular spacer acts as an intermediary element between the inner and outer wall members. It maintains the required distance while the packing materials provide sealing, preventing direct thermal contact between the walls and reducing heat transfer through the sealing system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If the diameter of the annular packing material is enlarged to increase distance between walls, then heat insulation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat insulationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using one large-diameter packing material, the sealing system is segmented into an annular spacer and multiple smaller annular packing materials. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing as each component can be produced independently with standard sizes, while achieving the same insulation effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution moves from enlarging the diameter of a single packing material to utilizing the axial dimension by introducing an annular spacer. The distance between walls is maintained in the axial direction rather than requiring larger radial dimensions, simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This configuration effectively improves heat insulating properties by maintaining a vacuum state and reducing heat transfer between the inner and outer wall members, enhancing the thermal insulation performance of the vacuum double structure and heat treat furnaces.

Implementation Method 1

a space between an inner wall member and an outer wall member that are made of metal is sealed by a sealing member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

A vacuum double structure thermally insulated such that a space between a tubular inner wall and a tubular outer wall is evacuated is widely used

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3321544B1Vacuum double structure and heat treat furnace
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3321544B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3321544B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3321544B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vacuum double structure includes: a tubular and metal inner wall member (10); a tubular and metal outer wall member (20) in which the inner wall member (10) is accommodated; and a sealing member (30) provided between a facing surface of the inner wall member (10) and a facing surface of the outer wall member (20). The sealing member (30) includes an annular spacer (32), a first annular packing material (31a), and a second annular packing material (31b). The annular spacer (32) is provided between the facing surface of the inner wall member (10) and the facing surface of the outer wall member (20).