Vacuum Insulator Assembly Reciprocating Support Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vacuum insulators face challenges in maintaining insulation performance due to external pressure, which limits the material selection for the core and increases thermal conductivity, leading to reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum insulator structure with a reciprocating support system comprising a top board, bottom board, solid shaft, hollow shaft, and connection part, where the materials are chosen based on yield strength and thermal conductivity to endure atmospheric pressure and minimize heat transfer, using polycarbonate for the boards and stainless steel for the connection part, and coated with metal for reduced radiative heat transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a simple cylindrical core material is used in conventional vacuum insulators, then the structure is simple, but the core material must endure atmospheric pressure directly which limits material selection and increases thermal conductivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidinsulation performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into multiple segments including a hollow shaft with ridges, connection parts with protrusions and recesses, and a solid shaft. This segmentation allows each part to contribute differently to pressure resistance while maintaining overall structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure combines different materials with complementary properties: the hollow shaft and connection parts use materials with high yield strength for pressure resistance, while the solid shaft uses materials with low thermal conductivity for insulation. This composite approach allows the structure to simultaneously achieve mechanical strength and thermal insulation performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If the core material density is increased to endure atmospheric pressure, then the structural strength is improved, but the insulation performance decreases due to increased thermal conductivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression strengthVSAvoidthermal insulation performance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The support function is segmented from the insulation function. The hollow shaft with ridges and connection parts provide compression strength to endure atmospheric pressure, while the solid shaft provides thermal insulation. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its properties without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between strength and insulation performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the support structure have different material properties optimized for their specific functions: the hollow shaft and connection parts have high yield strength for pressure resistance, while the solid shaft has low thermal conductivity for insulation. This local optimization resolves the contradiction by allowing each region to have the quality it needs rather than requiring uniform properties throughout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of energy

If a reciprocating support structure with long heat transfer path is implemented, then the insulation performance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal insulation performanceVSAvoidsupport structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reciprocating support structure is segmented into standardized components (hollow shaft, connection parts, solid shaft) that can be manufactured independently and assembled. This segmentation makes the complex structure manufacturable and maintainable while achieving the long heat transfer path for improved insulation performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 design enhances thermal insulation performance by creating a longer heat transfer path and allowing the use of various core materials without deformation, resulting in improved energy efficiency and reduced energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

an assembly reciprocating support configured to endure an atmospheric pressure applied to a top and a bottom of the vacuum insulator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAtmospheric pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

The top board, the bottom board, and the assembly reciprocating support may be coated with a metal in view of a reflectivity and an emissivity to minimize radiative heat transfer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiative heat transfer: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

The vacuum insulator is highly evacuated to get rid of the heat transfer through a gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer through gas: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS9243736B2Structure of vacuum insulator with assembly reciprocating support

Publication Date: 2016.01.26 KOREA ADVANCED INST OF SCI & TECH

AI summary

Provided is an inner structure of a vacuum insulator with an assembly reciprocating support to increase an insulation performance, the structure of the vacuum insulator including a top board, a bottom board, and an assembly reciprocating support installed perpendicularly between the top board and the bottom board, the assembly reciprocating support including a solid shaft, a hollow shaft, and a connection part.