Vacuum Insulation Packaging With Silicon Adhesive Barrier Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Outer packing materials for vacuum insulation with metal aluminum films degrade in water vapor barrier properties when exposed to high temperature and high humidity environments, leading to a rapid drop in vacuum integrity and thermal insulation performance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an adhesive layer with a silicon-containing compound, where at least one hydrolysable group or hydroxyl group bonds directly to a silicon atom, and maintaining a silicon atomic ratio between 1.5% and 7.0%, directly on the metal aluminum film to inhibit water vapor absorption and property changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a metal aluminum film is used as the gas barrier film, then high water vapor barrier properties are achieved at relatively low cost, but the water vapor barrier properties deteriorate rapidly when exposed to high temperature and high humidity environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater vapor barrier propertiesVSAvoidstability of metal aluminum film
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining the metal aluminum film with a silicon-containing compound layer. This composite structure leverages the low-cost, high water vapor barrier properties of aluminum while adding the stability and hydrophobicity of silicon compounds to prevent degradation in high temperature and high humidity environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the film surface by introducing a silicon-containing compound with specific atomic ratios (Si: 1.5-7.0 at%, O: 15-40 at%). This parameter modification creates a stable surface layer that resists water vapor absorption and property changes under harsh environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the outer packing material is exposed to high temperature and high humidity environment, then thermal insulation performance is maintained initially, but the vacuum integrity drops rapidly due to water vapor permeation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevacuum integrityVSAvoidduration of vacuum state
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-coating the metal aluminum film with a silicon-containing compound before the vacuum insulation material is exposed to harsh environments. This preliminary protective layer prevents water vapor from penetrating the aluminum film, thereby maintaining vacuum integrity and extending the duration of the vacuum state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the naturally occurring hydroxyl groups on the aluminum film surface, which initially cause water vapor absorption, into a benefit by reacting them with the silicon-containing compound. This reaction creates a stable, hydrophobic surface that prevents water vapor permeation and protects the vacuum state over extended periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If a silicon-containing compound is added to the adhesive layer, then water vapor barrier properties are maintained in high humidity environments, but the complexity of the film structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater vapor barrier propertiesVSAvoidstructure of outer packing material
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the adhesive layer and the protective silicon-containing compound layer into a single integrated layer. By incorporating the silicon-containing compound directly into the adhesive layer formulation, the patent reduces structural complexity while maintaining the water vapor barrier properties in high humidity environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively prevents degradation of water vapor barrier properties and maintains thermal insulation performance over long periods in high temperature and high humidity conditions by forming hydrogen bonds or covalent bonds with the metal aluminum film, reducing water molecule absorption and enhancing hydrophobicity.

Implementation Method 1

forming hydrogen bonds or covalent bonds with the metal aluminum film

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding: Van der Waals Force

Implementation Method 2

forming hydrogen bonds or covalent bonds with the metal aluminum film

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCovalent bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

enhancing hydrophobicity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobicity: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP3779260B1External packaging material for vacuum heat insulation material, vacuum heat insulation material, and article with vacuum heat insulation material
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO LTD
  • EP3779260B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2B

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an outer packaging material for a vacuum insulation material comprising a gas barrier film including a metal aluminum film, and an adhesive layer disposed directly on the metal aluminum film; wherein the adhesive layer includes an adhesive agent component and a silicon-containing compound in which at least one of a hydrolysable group and a hydroxyl group directly bonds to a silicon atom; and the atomic ratio of the silicon atom in the adhesive layer is 1.5 at% or more and 7.0 at% or less.