Vacuum Insulation Panels in Lorry Load Compartment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing superstructures for refrigerated transport vehicles face challenges in maximizing transport volume due to the need for thick thermal insulation, which increases energy costs and reduces the efficiency of cooling units, especially under varying climatic conditions.

Innovation Solution

A structure featuring vacuum insulation panels securely embedded between inner and outer cover layers using adhesive layers and foam support elements, allowing for a fixed position and enhanced protection, thereby improving thermal insulation and reducing heat transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If thick-walled thermal insulation layers are used to improve thermal insulation, then thermal insulation efficiency is improved, but transport interior volume is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation efficiencyVSAvoidtransport interior volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state and density parameters of the insulation material by using vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) with vacuum-evacuated cores. This parameter change enables achieving superior thermal insulation performance (lower heat transfer coefficient) with significantly reduced material thickness, thereby maintaining transport interior volume while improving thermal insulation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structures combining vacuum-evacuated cores with outer skin layers and edge sealants. This composite approach creates a multi-layer vacuum insulation panel system that achieves high thermal insulation performance with minimal thickness, resolving the contradiction between insulation efficiency and transport volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of energy

If conventional thermal insulation elements are used to improve thermal insulation, then thermal insulation is improved, but cooling unit energy requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulationVSAvoidcooling unit energy requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from conventional solid foam insulation to vacuum insulation panels with evacuated cores. This parameter change dramatically reduces the heat transfer coefficient, thereby reducing the thermal load on cooling units and lowering their energy requirements during transport operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If vacuum insulation panels are embedded in plastic foam to improve thermal insulation, then thermal insulation is improved, but position-fixed arrangement becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulationVSAvoidposition-fixed arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-attaching support corset elements to the vacuum insulation panels before final installation. This preliminary structuring provides inherent positional stability and mechanical support, making the subsequent embedding process in adhesive layers more straightforward and ensuring precise position-fixed arrangement without requiring complex foam embedding procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 reduces energy consumption of cooling units, optimizes loading space volume, and enhances the structural integrity and aging resistance of insulation panels, leading to improved thermal performance and reduced noise pollution.

Implementation Method 1

a structure made up of vacuum insulation panels, adhesive layers and foam layers lined up next to one another is provided between the inner and outer cover layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum insulation: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

adhesive layers, preferably each having a thickness of approx. 2 mm, for a position-fixed arrangement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

A structure is provided between the vacuum insulation panels as a support corset made of foam carrier elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFoam material support: Foam

Data Source

PatentEP1785337B1Load compartment for lorries
Publication Date: 2010.01.06 FAHRZEUGWERK BERNARD KRONE
  • EP1785337B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1785337B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The body has a structure inner space (6) that is surrounded by side walls. A lining is provided between inner and outer cover layers. Vacuum isolation panels (12), adhesive layers (11, 15, 16, 18) and a block foam material (17) are arranged with respect to each other. The panels having isolation characteristics are connected with the inner layer over the adhesive layers. The foam material is provided between the panels and outer layer. A support carrier unit (14) is provided between the panels. The panels include plate-like core material formed from a glass fiber or open-pored plastic foam.