Vacuum insulated structure with filter features in a vacuum cavity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum insulated structures face challenges in efficiently evacuating air due to the time-intensive process of creating a vacuum, which is exacerbated by the limited surface area of traditional single-aperture vacuum ports, leading to prolonged evacuation times.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a mesh member and filter members over the inner surface of panels creates a channel that is in fluid communication with the vacuum port, allowing air to be drawn from the vacuum cavity through this channel, thereby increasing the surface area for air evacuation and reducing travel distance, thus accelerating the evacuation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional single-aperture vacuum port is used, then the structure is simple, but the evacuation time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The single vacuum port is segmented into multiple aperture openings distributed across the panel surface. Each aperture acts as an independent evacuation pathway, collectively increasing the total surface area for air removal and significantly reducing evacuation time compared to a single port configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum port functionality is transitioned from a single-point (0D) or small aperture (2D) concept to a distributed array of apertures across the panel surface (2D expansion). This dimensional expansion of the evacuation interface allows simultaneous air removal from multiple locations, dramatically improving evacuation efficiency
2Loss of time
If the vacuum port surface area is increased, then the evacuation time is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum port apertures are integrated directly into the panel manufacturing process rather than being added as separate components. The apertures are formed as part of the panel structure itself, combining the panel fabrication and vacuum port creation into a single manufacturing step, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the increased number of apertures
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing approach changes from creating one large vacuum port to forming multiple smaller apertures with specific size and distribution parameters. By optimizing aperture diameter, spacing, and total number, the system achieves high evacuation efficiency while maintaining compatibility with standard panel manufacturing processes
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 evacuation time by allowing air to be drawn from a larger surface area, potentially reducing the time required to achieve a vacuum from several days to just one hour, while maintaining the vacuum's insulating properties.
Implementation Method 1
Air can be drawn from the vacuum cavity through the filter member and through the channel to a vacuum port disposed over the access aperture
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum insulated structure includes a first panel having an inner surface defining an area. The first panel includes a vacuum port. A trim breaker interconnects the first panel with a second panel in an air-tight manner to define a vacuum cavity therebetween. A first filter member is disposed on and substantially covers the area of the inner surface of the first panel and the vacuum port of the first panel. A second filter member substantially covers the first filter member to define a channel therebetween. The channel includes an area commensurate with the area of the inner surface of the first panel. The first panel may also include a mesh member covered by a filter member to define a channel therebetween to improve evacuation time using the channel to evacuate the vacuum cavity.