Refrigerator Vacuum Insulation With Porous Filter Shock Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators require thick insulating materials to achieve effective insulation, which increases the size of the appliance, and existing vacuum insulation methods are costly and prone to deformation under external shocks.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a vacuum space between the inner and outer cases, maintained at a partial vacuum pressure, with a porous filter like glass wool to reduce gas conductivity and a supporting structure of spacers and plates to maintain the vacuum and withstand external shocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If thick insulating material is used to achieve effective insulation, then insulation performance is improved, but the size of the refrigerator is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the insulation medium from solid (urethane foam) to vacuum (gas removal), dramatically improving insulation performance while reducing thickness. The vacuum space (10-3 torr or less) eliminates conduction and convection heat transfer, achieving superior insulation with minimal space occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a porous filter (density of 65 kg/m3 or less, such as glass wool) within the vacuum space to restrain gas molecule movement and reduce residual conductivity. This porous structure maintains the vacuum's low thermal conductivity while preventing gas leakage and maintaining structural integrity.
2Loss of energy
If vacuum space is formed to improve insulation and reduce size, then insulation performance is improved and size is reduced, but structural stability deteriorates due to external shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a supporting structure with spacers and grooves before external shocks occur. The spacers are positioned in grooves to pre-establish a rigid framework that cushions against vacuum pressure and external impacts, preventing deformation of the inner and outer cases while maintaining the vacuum space integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple materials and structures: vacuum space (gas removal), porous filter (glass wool), spacers, grooves, and getter material. This composite approach creates a robust insulation system that maintains structural stability under external shocks while achieving superior thermal insulation performance.
3Volume of stationary object
If vacuum space is formed to reduce size, then refrigerator volume is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the insulation system into discrete components: inner case, outer case, spacers, grooves, porous filter, and getter. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using conventional processes, then assembled to form the vacuum insulation structure, simplifying overall manufacturing while achieving compact size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spacers and grooves as intermediary elements that facilitate the formation and maintenance of the vacuum space. These intermediaries simplify the manufacturing process by providing predefined locations for vacuum maintenance and structural support, reducing the complexity of creating and sustaining the vacuum environment.
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 vacuum space provides superior insulation without increasing the appliance's size, minimizing heat transfer and maintaining structural integrity, while the porous filter and support structure enhance workability and insulation performance.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum space that is maintained at a partial vacuum pressure and that is configured to insulate the inner case from the outer case
Implementation Method 2
the vacuum space provides superior insulation without increasing the appliance's size, minimizing heat transfer
Implementation Method 3
a porous filter that is located in the vacuum space defined between the outer case and the inner case and that is configured to restrain conductivity generated by gas present in the vacuum space
Implementation Method 4
configured to restrain conductivity generated by gas present in the vacuum space
Implementation Method 5
a supporting structure to maintain the distance between the inner case and the outer case, without deformation of the inner and outer cases generated by an external shock
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a refrigerator including an inner case that defines an exterior appearance of a storage space, an outer case spaced apart a predetermined distance from the inner case, a vacuum space provided between the inner case and the outer case, with being maintained vacuum, to insulate the inner case from the outer case, and a porous filter filled in the vacuum space to restrain conductivity generated by gas existent in the vacuum space.