Vacuum Insulation Passage for Refrigerator Line Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerators and freezers with vacuum insulating bodies face challenges in routing operating lines and creating a reliable vacuum during manufacturing, as the vacuum insulation body must be diffusion-tight and mechanically stable, making it difficult to insert lines and evacuate the insulation effectively.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a vacuum-tight passage or connection piece through the cover, allowing for the routing of cables or pipes without compromising the insulation's service life, using high-barrier films for flexibility and thermal sealing to maintain vacuum integrity, with a clamp mechanism for compressive force to achieve thermal sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the vacuum insulation body is made diffusion-tight and mechanically stable, then the insulation performance is improved, but routing lines and evacuating the insulation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevacuum insulation integrityVSAvoidline routing and evacuation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum insulation body is segmented by introducing a passage that divides the envelope into a vacuum chamber and a fill chamber. This segmentation allows independent evacuation of the vacuum chamber while the fill material provides structural support in the other chamber, resolving the contradiction between maintaining vacuum integrity and enabling line routing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A passage acts as an intermediary element through the vacuum insulation body, allowing lines to be routed while maintaining vacuum separation. The passage enables communication between chambers without compromising the vacuum barrier, thus facilitating line routing while preserving insulation performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If lines are inserted through the vacuum insulation body, then operational access is improved, but the service life and vacuum tightness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveline accessVSAvoidenvelope service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the envelope into separate vacuum and fill chambers with a dedicated passage, lines can be routed through the passage without penetrating the vacuum barrier. This maintains the envelope's vacuum tightness and service life while providing operational access for line routing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The passage serves as an intermediary channel that allows line access without compromising the vacuum envelope. Lines pass through this dedicated通道 rather than penetrating the vacuum barrier directly, preserving the envelope's integrity and service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If a rigid structure is used for the vacuum insulation body, then mechanical stability is improved, but flexibility for positioning adjustments is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidpositioning flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The envelope is constructed from flexible foil material that can be formed into the vacuum insulation body. This flexible film structure provides sufficient mechanical stability while allowing positioning adjustments and adaptations during installation and assembly, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution enables easy and reliable routing of lines and vacuum generation within the vacuum insulation body, preventing air or gas penetration and ensuring a long service life for the insulation, while allowing for adjustments and potential reuse of components.

Implementation Method 1

The vacuum-tight connection between the bushing and the casing is produced by a thermal seal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal sealing: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a vacuum insulating body with a vacuum-tight envelope consisting of an inner container and an outer container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum insulation: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP2954271B1Refrigerator and/or freezer device
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 LIEBHERR HAUSGERATE LIENZ GMBH
  • EP2954271B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a vacuum insulation body with a vacuum-tight casing, at least one bushing (40) extending through the portion surrounded by the casing and surrounding a free space, and/or at least one connector (70) extending away from the casing. The bushing (40) and/or the connector (70) are likewise vacuum-tight and are connected to the casing in a vacuum-tight manner.