Vacuum-Insulated Refrigerator Housing for Compact Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators face challenges in achieving effective insulation while maintaining a compact size, as thick insulating materials increase the refrigerator's size, and traditional drainage pipes compromise the airtight vacuum state when used in vacuum refrigerators.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a vacuum space between the inner and outer cases, with a liquid-gas interchanger for heat exchange and guide rings to maintain the vacuum state and prevent heat transfer, allowing for improved insulation without the need for thick insulating materials and ensuring the airtightness of the drainage system.
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 refrigerator size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the insulation medium from solid (foaming agent) to vacuum by removing gas molecules. This parameter change allows achieving superior insulation performance with significantly reduced thickness, as vacuum provides the highest insulation performance among all states of matter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a vacuum environment between the inner and outer cases, which is an inert atmosphere free from heat transfer mechanisms present in normal atmospheric conditions. This vacuum environment eliminates convection and significantly reduces conduction and radiation, providing excellent insulation without requiring thick materials.
2Ease of manufacture
If plastic pipe is used to pass through vacuum space, then ease of manufacture is improved, but airtight state cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flange as an intermediary component that mediates between the pipe and the vacuum space. The flange provides a sealed connection interface that maintains the vacuum barrier while allowing the pipe to pass through, solving the conflict between ease of installation and airtightness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining the pipe material with sealing materials (such as gaskets or sealing rings) at the connection interface. This composite approach allows the pipe to be easily installed while the sealing component ensures the airtight state is maintained in the vacuum environment.
3Reliability
If metal pipe is used for connection, then airtight state is maintained, but heat transfer occurs and insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces thermal insulation sleeves or vacuum breaks as intermediary elements along the metal pipe that penetrates the vacuum space. These intermediaries interrupt the thermal conduction path while allowing the metal pipe to maintain its airtight sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different sections of the pipe system. The pipe itself remains metal for airtightness, but specific sections (particularly where it penetrates the vacuum space) are equipped with thermal insulation or vacuum barriers to prevent heat transfer, creating local quality variations that address both requirements.
4Loss of energy
If vacuum space is formed to improve insulation, then insulation performance is improved, but structural stability against external shocks worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the vacuum space itself as a flexible cushioning structure. The vacuum layer acts as a deformable buffer that can absorb external shocks and pressures, protecting the internal components while maintaining the insulation function. The thin-walled structure adapted to the vacuum environment provides both insulation and shock absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the vacuum space and supporting structure to provide beforehand cushioning against external shocks. The vacuum layer and supporting ribs or struts are pre-configured to absorb and distribute impact forces before they can damage the inner case or components, providing proactive protection.
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 design enhances insulation performance, reduces the refrigerator's size, and maintains the vacuum state effectively, improving cooling efficiency and compactness while preventing heat transfer and deformation from external shocks.
Implementation Method 1
an outer case spaced apart a distance from the inner case, the outer case and the inner case defining, between the outer case and the inner case, 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
a liquid-gas interchanger that is arranged in the vacuum space and that is configured to facilitate heat exchange between refrigerant exhausted from an evaporator and refrigerant exhausted from a condenser
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes an inner case, an outer case, a vacuum space, and a liquid-gas interchanger. The inner case defines an exterior appearance of a storage space. The outer case is spaced apart a predetermined distance from the inner case. The vacuum space is provided between the inner case and the outer case, and maintains a vacuum to insulate the inner case from the outer case. The liquid-gas interchanger is arranged in the vacuum space to generate heat exchange between a refrigerant after it is exhausted from an evaporator and a refrigerant before it is drawn into an evaporator.