Vacuum insulation panel and container comprising vacuum insulation panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum insulation panels are sensitive to mechanical damage and handling due to their thin, flexible envelopes, which can lead to uneven surfaces and increased risk of damage during evacuation and use.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a paper layer on the outside of the barrier layer in the envelope, combined with a polyethylene outer layer, significantly increases the rigidity and mechanical resistance of the panel, reducing sensitivity to mechanical stress and ensuring a smoother surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a thin envelope is used for the vacuum insulation panel, then the thermal insulation efficiency is improved, but the mechanical strength and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The envelope is constructed as a composite structure with an inner barrier layer (e.g., aluminum foil or metallized film) providing gas tightness and thermal reflection, and an outer paper layer (e.g., kraft paper or cardboard) providing mechanical strength and rigidity. This composite design allows the envelope to maintain both excellent thermal insulation properties and sufficient mechanical stability for handling and application.
2Reliability
If the envelope is made flexible to conform to the core, then the vacuum sealing is improved, but the resistance to mechanical damage during handling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible barrier layer ensures conformal sealing around the core and maintains vacuum integrity, while the additional rigid paper layer provides protection against mechanical damage during handling, transport, and installation. The combination of flexible and rigid materials resolves the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and mechanical durability.
3Strength
If the envelope rigidity is increased to improve handling stability, then the resistance to mechanical damage is improved, but the surface smoothness deteriorates due to uneven pressing into the core
Solution Approach 1:
The inner flexible barrier layer conforms smoothly to the core surface, ensuring good contact and uniform sealing, while the outer rigid paper layer provides handling stability. The flexible inner layer acts as a cushion that prevents the rigid outer layer from being unevenly pressed into the core, thus maintaining surface smoothness while providing mechanical stability.
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 enhanced rigidity and smooth surface of the vacuum insulation panels improve their stability and resistance to mechanical damage, allowing them to be used as self-supporting structures without compromising insulation efficiency, while maintaining a production process similar to existing methods with minimal additional effort.
Implementation Method 1
the envelope has at least one gas-tight barrier layer and a sealing layer on the inside of the barrier layer
Implementation Method 2
This makes it possible to evacuate the space inside the envelope and thereby bring the thermal conductivity of the vacuum insulation panel to very low values
Implementation Method 3
a surrounding sealing seam along which the two barrier films are sealed to one another with the aid of the sealing layers by thermal welding
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~2c
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A vacuum insulation panel comprises a planar core having an open-pored material and an enclosure that surrounds the core on all sides in a close-fitting, complete and gas-tight manner. The enclosure has at least the following layers, listed in order from the inner layer next to the core to the outer layer: a sealing layer of polyethylene; a barrier layer assembly arranged thereon, the assembly comprising at least one metallized polyester film, EVOH film, metallized EVOH film, metallized PP film, or plastic film coated with alumina or silicon oxide; and at least one paper layer arranged on said assembly.