Vacuum Insulated Panel Servicing Assembly to Maintain Partial Vacuum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum insulated structures in appliances experience a decrease in insulating efficiency over time due to gas permeation, which diminishes the partial vacuum and requires frequent replacement, leading to increased maintenance costs and reduced appliance longevity.
Innovation Solution
A servicing assembly comprising a connector, a servicing tube, and a sensor that extends parallel to the structural enclosure, allowing for repeated evacuation and resealing of the insulating cavity to maintain the partial vacuum, minimizing gas permeation and extending the structure's lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a vacuum insulated structure is used, then insulating efficiency is improved, but gas permeation causes the partial vacuum to diminish over time, requiring frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The servicing assembly includes a servicing tube pre-installed during manufacturing that provides ongoing access to the insulating cavity. This preliminary action enables future evacuation and resealing operations without requiring disassembly or replacement of the entire insulated structure, thus extending its service life while maintaining insulating efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The servicing assembly allows the vacuum insulated structure to service itself by enabling repeated evacuation and resealing of the insulating cavity through the connector and servicing tube. The structure can restore its own partial vacuum condition without external intervention or replacement, counteracting gas permeation effects over time.
2Loss of energy
If the insulated structure is replaced frequently to maintain efficiency, then insulating performance is preserved, but maintenance costs increase and appliance longevity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The servicing assembly is pre-installed during the initial manufacturing of the insulated structure, including the connector coupled to the wrapper and the servicing tube extending along the structure. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for costly future replacements by enabling simple, low-cost evacuation and resealing operations throughout the appliance's lifecycle.
3Productivity
If a port is defined in the structural enclosure for evacuation, then the insulating cavity can be evacuated, but the port creates a potential entry point for gas permeation
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is disposed over the evacuation port to cover it, effectively removing the port's vulnerability to gas permeation while preserving its evacuation function. The servicing tube passes through the connector, allowing the port to remain sealed during normal operation but accessible when evacuation is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector acts as an intermediary component between the evacuation port and the external environment. It provides a controlled interface that allows evacuation operations while blocking gas permeation during normal operation, thus mediating between the need for evacuation capability and the need to prevent gas entry.
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 servicing assembly effectively maintains the partial vacuum, reducing gas permeation and extending the service life of the insulated structure, thereby minimizing replacement costs and maintaining appliance efficiency over time.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor is coupled to the connector
Implementation Method 2
allowing for repeated evacuation and resealing of the insulating cavity to maintain the partial vacuum
Implementation Method 3
A connector is coupled to the second panel and is disposed over the port
Data Source
AI summary
An insulated structure comprises a first panel and a second panel coupled to the first panel. The first and second panels define an insulating cavity therebetween. A port is defined by the second panel. The port is an opening into the insulating cavity. A connector is coupled to the second panel. A tube is coupled to the connector and extends parallel along the second panel.