Vacuum heat insulating material and refrigerator including the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum heat insulating materials face challenges in balancing durability and heat bridge prevention, with aluminum foil envelopes providing superior durability but higher heat conductivity, and aluminum deposition envelopes offering better heat insulation but lower durability and susceptibility to pin holes during manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum heat insulating material structure incorporating a first blocking layer made of aluminum or stainless steel with a thickness of 5µm to 30µm, a second blocking layer of metal, inorganic, or organic materials, and a protective layer, strategically positioned to prevent heat bridges while maintaining durability, using a sealing layer, inner layer, and protective layer configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an aluminum foil envelope with thick aluminum layer is used, then durability and gas blocking efficiency are improved, but heat bridge phenomenon increases
Solution Approach 1:
The envelope structure uses different aluminum layer thicknesses in different regions: the first blocking layer (central region) has a thicker aluminum layer (5-30μm) for superior gas blocking and durability, while the second blocking layer (edge region) has a thinner aluminum layer (1-10μm) to minimize heat bridge phenomenon. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region's aluminum thickness according to its specific functional requirements.
2Loss of energy
If an aluminum deposition envelope with thin aluminum layer is used, then heat bridge is reduced, but durability and gas blocking efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The envelope structure uses different aluminum layer thicknesses in different regions: the first blocking layer (central region) has a thicker aluminum layer (5-30μm) for superior gas blocking and durability, while the second blocking layer (edge region) has a thinner aluminum layer (1-10μm) to minimize heat bridge phenomenon. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region's aluminum thickness according to its specific functional requirements.
3Volume of moving object
If polyurethane heat insulating material is used, then storage capacity is improved, but thermal conductivity is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a vacuum heat insulating material where the core material exists in a vacuum state (phase transition from atmospheric to vacuum). This vacuum phase provides superior thermal insulation compared to polyurethane foam, enabling reduced wall thickness and increased storage capacity while maintaining low thermal conductivity.
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 effectively reduces heat loss and thermal conductivity, enhancing storage capacity by preventing heat bridges and maintaining durability, with improved gas blocking efficiency compared to conventional materials.
Implementation Method 1
a core material and an envelope covering the core material. The envelope serves a great role to maintain the lifespan of the vacuum heat insulating material by blocking fine gas and vapor that infiltrate into the interior of a vacuum state.
Implementation Method 2
The thick aluminum layer of the aluminum foil envelope effectively blocks fine gas and vapor (moisture) of outside, and thus provides a superior durability. However, even if a central portion of the vacuum heat insulating material has a low thermal conductivity, a great amount of heat is exchanged through an edge portion.
Data Source
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Figure 2B
AI summary
A vacuum heat insulating material having an improved structure to prevent the heat bridge phenomenon while improving the durability thereof, and a refrigerator having the same, the vacuum heat insulating material including a core material in a vacuum state, a sealing layer surrounding the core material, an inner layer covering the sealing layer, and having a first side and a second side connected to the first side, a protective layer located at an outside of the inner layer, a first blocking layer having at least one portion located between the first side of the inner layer and the protective layer, and a second blocking layer having at least one portion located between the second side of the inner layer and the protective layer.