Vacuum insulating element and a storage vessel with it
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermoelectric cooling systems in vehicles face challenges in achieving sufficient heat insulation and cooling performance due to inadequate vacuum levels and heat insulating materials, leading to inefficient energy consumption and suboptimal temperature control in storage vessels.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum insulating element is introduced, featuring a wire guide part to prevent short circuits, a conductive resistance sheet to resist heat transfer, and a supporting unit made from materials like PPS to maintain high vacuum pressure and improve thermal conductivity, ensuring effective heat transfer and reduced outgassing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a thick heat insulating wall made of foaming urethane is used, then heat insulation performance is improved, but the device complexity and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the heat insulating space from atmospheric pressure to vacuum state, fundamentally altering the heat transfer mechanism. By removing gas molecules through vacuum treatment, heat conduction and convection are eliminated, achieving superior insulation with minimal wall thickness. The vacuum insulating element maintains this vacuum state while integrating electrical connection functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated component. The vacuum insulating element simultaneously provides: (1) thermal insulation through vacuum, (2) electrical connection between inner and outer cases, and (3) structural support. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate thick insulating walls and complex wiring arrangements.
2Loss of energy
If a vacuum state is created for heat insulation, then heat transfer is reduced, but achieving and maintaining sufficient vacuum level becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a resin film to seal the vacuum space between the inner case and outer case. This flexible sealing structure effectively maintains the vacuum state while accommodating the integrated components (thermoelectric module, wire guides, support units) within the vacuum chamber. The resin film provides both sealing and structural functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wire guide parts as intermediary structures that allow electrical wires to pass through the vacuum barrier without compromising vacuum integrity. These wire guides create sealed pathways for electrical connections while maintaining the vacuum seal, solving the contradiction between electrical connectivity and vacuum maintenance.
3Temperature
If thermoelectric module is used for cooling, then cooling performance is improved, but energy consumption increases due to insufficient heat insulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal environment parameter by creating a vacuum insulation layer around the thermoelectric module. This dramatically reduces the thermal load on the module, allowing it to achieve the desired cooling temperature with lower power consumption. The vacuum eliminates convective and conductive heat transfer, forcing the system to rely only on radiative heat transfer which is minimal at these scales.
4Ease of operation
If electrical wires are introduced into vacuum space, then power supply is enabled, but short circuit risk increases due to component contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wire guide parts as intermediary structures that channel electrical wires through the vacuum space without allowing them to contact other components. These guides create isolated pathways that maintain electrical insulation while permitting power and signal transmission to the thermoelectric module and other components within the vacuum chamber.
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 solution enhances heat insulating performance, improves thermal conductivity, and maintains a stable vacuum state, resulting in improved cooling efficiency and reduced energy consumption for thermoelectric cooling systems in vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum space part (50) provided between the first plate member (10) and second plate member (20)
Implementation Method 2
The Peltier effect is a phenomenon in which heat is generated at an upper junction and is absorbed at a lower junction when current flows to a circuit
Implementation Method 3
a conductive resistance sheet to resist heat transfer
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Disclosed is a vacuum insulator comprising: a heat diffusion block placed in a third space; a thermoelectric module coming into contact with the heat diffusion block so as to exchange heat therewith, and placed in the third space; and a heat sink exchanging heat with the thermoelectric module and placed in a first space or a second place. According to the present invention, high heat-insulation performance and heat-transfer performance can be obtained.