Vacuum insulated structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum insulated structures for appliances face challenges with gas permeation due to the infiltration of gases into the insulating cavity, which compromises the integrity and longevity of the insulation.
Innovation Solution
The use of a trim breaker with grooves for panels and adhesives, combined with a glass coating on a barrier, minimizes gas permeation by creating a gas-impermeable envelope within the insulating cavity, utilizing materials like chalcogenide glass and glass-frit adhesives to enhance the structural integrity and reduce gas infiltration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional adhesives and sealing methods are used in vacuum insulated structures, then the structure can be assembled, but gas permeation occurs over time compromising insulation integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials including glass-frit adhesive that forms a glass-like bonding structure, and combinations of metal, plastic, and glass materials in the trim breaker and barrier components. These composite structures provide both mechanical bonding strength and gas impermeability, resolving the contradiction between assembly feasibility and long-term gas sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical and physical parameters of the adhesive by using glass-frit material that undergoes vitrification at high temperatures. This parameter change transforms the adhesive from a conventional organic compound into an inorganic glass-like substance with superior gas impermeability and thermal stability, eliminating gas permeation while maintaining bonding strength.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a gas-impermeable envelope is created using glass coating and specialized adhesives, then gas permeation is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing the glass coating and glass-frit adhesive specifically at critical sealing locations where gas permeation is most likely to occur, such as at the trim breaker interfaces and barrier joints. This targeted approach provides gas impermeability where needed without requiring the entire structure to be complex, balancing performance with manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The trim breaker acts as an intermediary component that integrates multiple functions: structural support, sealing surface provision, and interface for the glass-frit adhesive. This intermediary element simplifies the overall assembly by consolidating sealing functions into a single component rather than requiring separate sealing mechanisms, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining gas impermeability.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional materials are used without glass coating, then manufacturing is simpler, but gas infiltration compromises insulation effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The glass coating is applied preliminarily to the barrier and trim breaker components during the manufacturing process before final assembly. This preliminary action ensures that the gas-impermeable surface is already in place, preventing gas infiltration from the outset without requiring additional complex sealing steps during assembly, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while eliminating gas infiltration risks.
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 significantly reduces gas permeation rates, maintaining the insulation's effectiveness and extending its useful life by forming a robust, gas-blocking layer within the insulating structure.
Implementation Method 1
The coating is of a glass-type material... significantly reduces gas permeation rates... forming a robust, gas-blocking layer
Implementation Method 2
an adhesive, disposed within the grooves and coupled to the panels
Data Source
AI summary
An insulating structure for an appliance includes a trim breaker, a first panel, a second panel, and an adhesive. The trim breaker defines a first groove and a second groove. The first panel is disposed within the first groove and is coupled to the trim breaker. The second panel is disposed within the second groove and is coupled to the trim breaker. The adhesive is disposed within the first and second grooves and is coupled to the first and second panels.