Vacuum insulation panel
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) face challenges in achieving a balance between thermal conductivity and durability, with reduced density cores compromising handling and longevity due to moisture and air ingress, and existing solutions either increase thermal bridging or compromise thermal performance.
Innovation Solution
A VIP design featuring a porous insulating core made from microporous materials like silica, with a non-foam polyurethane coating layer on the envelope and metallized films, and strategically placed metal foils to reduce permeability and thermal bridging, while maintaining low thermal conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the density of the core is reduced to improve thermal performance and reduce production cost, then thermal conductivity is improved, but the core becomes less robust and more prone to breakage during handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining powder insulation silica with reinforcing fibres (such as glass fibres, basalt fibres, or organic fibres) to create a hybrid core structure. This composite approach allows the core to maintain low density (100-200 kg/m³) for improved thermal conductivity while the fibre network provides structural reinforcement that prevents breakage during handling and installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by distributing reinforcing fibres throughout the powder insulation matrix in a non-uniform manner, with higher fibre concentration in regions subject to mechanical stress during handling. This localized reinforcement strategy optimizes the balance between thermal performance and mechanical robustness, ensuring that critical areas have enhanced strength while maintaining overall low density.
2Reliability
If the thickness of the envelope is increased to reduce permeability to moisture and air ingress, then longevity is improved, but thermal bridging at the edges increases which decreases insulating efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the envelope structure between the face surfaces and the edge regions. The envelope comprises a barrier layer with specific permeability properties optimized for moisture and air ingress prevention, while the edge sealant layer is specifically designed to address thermal bridging at the periphery. This localized differentiation allows the envelope to simultaneously achieve low permeability for longevity and reduced thermal bridging for maintained insulating efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies composite materials by creating a multi-layer envelope structure consisting of a barrier layer (such as metallized film or coated fabric) combined with a sealant layer at the edges. This composite envelope design allows the barrier layer to provide moisture and air ingress resistance for improved longevity, while the sealant layer with different thermal properties addresses thermal bridging at the edges, optimizing both longevity and thermal performance simultaneously.
3Strength
If glass fiber board is incorporated to maintain structural integrity, then handling robustness is improved, but the lifetime of the board decreases rapidly over time compromising long-term durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of using inexpensive, short-lived structural components by replacing the traditional glass fiber board with a fibre-reinforced powder insulation matrix. The reinforcing fibres (glass, basalt, or organic) embedded in the powder insulation provide sufficient structural integrity for handling and installation, while the overall VIP structure maintains long-term durability through the vacuum environment and protective envelope, eliminating the rapid degradation issue associated with glass fiber board.
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 the thermal performance and longevity of VIPs by reducing air and moisture ingress, improving robustness, and maintaining low thermal conductivity, making them suitable for various applications without compromising aesthetic appearance or utility.
Implementation Method 1
the envelope and the polyurethane coating layer form a barrier layer about the insulating core, said barrier layer having a moisture vapour transmission rate of from 1.5 × 10^-3 to 1.5 × 10^-6 g/(m²·24h)
Implementation Method 2
Thermal conductivity properties of VIPs are typically of the order of about 0.005W/(m·K)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Vacuum insulation panels, methods for manufacture thereof, and applications thereof are described. The vacuum insulation panels comprise a porous insulating core encapsulated in an envelope to which a vacuum is applied. The envelope is coated with a waterproof coating layer which increases the robustness of the vacuum insulation panel.