Vacuum Insulation Panel Bending Groove for Shaped Refrigerator Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of attaching vacuum insulation panels in variously shaped refrigerators complicates the insulation process, and existing methods fail to detect defects post-attachment, leading to potential heat transfer and reduced insulation performance.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum insulation panel with a core material featuring a bending groove, covered by an envelope material, allowing for flexible shaping and inclusion of a getter adjacent to the outer case for enhanced performance, along with a temperature sensor and communication unit for defect detection without disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vacuum insulation panels are attached in flat panel form to match refrigerator shapes, then insulation coverage is improved, but attachment complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum insulation panel is divided into a core material and an envelope material that can be separately formed and then assembled. The envelope material is formed first, then the core material is injected inside, allowing modular manufacturing that simplifies attachment to complex refrigerator surfaces while maintaining complete insulation coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and formability of the materials by using a flexible envelope material that can be formed into complex shapes before sealing. The core material is injected in a manageable state and then the entire structure is vacuum-sealed, transforming the panel into a rigid insulated unit that is easy to attach.
2Reliability
If multiple flat vacuum insulation panels are attached to cover complex refrigerator surfaces, then insulation coverage is improved, but heat transfer at joint portions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The envelope material is continuously formed to cover multiple core material sections without interruption, creating a unified sealed structure. This merging of the envelope into a single continuous piece eliminates gaps and joints between separate panels, preventing heat transfer at joint portions while maintaining complete insulation coverage.
3Reliability
If vacuum insulation panels are attached inside refrigerator walls, then insulation performance is improved, but defect detection becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor is integrated into the vacuum insulation panel structure to provide real-time feedback on the vacuum level and integrity of the insulation. This allows continuous monitoring of insulation performance and defect detection without requiring disassembly or external inspection, maintaining high insulation performance while enabling easy defect detection.
4Reliability
If rigid vacuum insulation panels are used, then insulation performance is improved, but adaptability to various refrigerator shapes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The envelope material is pre-formed into the desired complex shape before the core material is injected and vacuum sealing is applied. This preliminary shaping action allows the final rigid insulated panel to adapt to various refrigerator surfaces while maintaining structural integrity and insulation performance.
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
Facilitates easier attachment, improves insulation performance by minimizing wrinkles and damage, maximizes getter performance, and allows for remote defect detection, reducing power consumption and enhancing refrigerator efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A vacuum insulation material is a type of high-functional insulation material utilizing the low thermal conductivity of a vacuum by decompressing an inner space into the vacuum state
Implementation Method 2
The vacuum insulation material may include a getter inside the envelope material. The getter is a type of gas absorbent or moisture absorbent for absorbing gas or moisture which is left in the envelope material or newly introduced therein
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum insulation panel includes a core material having a bending groove at at least one surface thereof, and an envelope material to cover an outer surface of the core material and an inner surface of the bending groove. Also, a refrigerator with the vacuum insulation panel and a manufacturing method for the vacuum insulation panel are provided.