Vacuum Panel Refrigerator Cabinet With Hermetic Sealing and Structural Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refrigerator cabinet structures with vacuum panels face challenges in maintaining effective insulation and structural stability while accommodating cooling loops and mechanical components, leading to inefficiencies in energy retention and structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum panel cabinet structure incorporating a polyurethane inner frame with outwardly expanded framing members, hermetically sealed vacuum insulated panels, and a barrier film, combined with an outer enclosure and liner that hermetically seals the components to minimize heat loss and enhance structural support, along with a method for assembling these components to create a sealed and stable refrigerator cabinet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If vacuum panels are used for insulation, then heat loss is reduced, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction by combining vacuum insulated panels with polyurethane foam-filled framing members. The framing members act as structural ribs that provide mechanical strength while the vacuum panels provide thermal insulation, creating a hybrid system that achieves both insulation performance and structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cabinet structure is divided into modular sections with vacuum panels positioned between structural framing members. This segmentation allows the vacuum panels to be supported at intervals by the framing, maintaining insulation effectiveness while distributing structural loads across multiple support points.
2Use of energy by moving object
If vacuum panels are used for insulation, then energy retention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the framing members: they provide structural support, serve as vapor barriers, contain polyurethane foam insulation, and mechanically secure the vacuum panels. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The framing members are designed as multi-functional elements that simultaneously perform structural, insulating, and sealing functions. This universality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate components for each function, while still achieving effective energy retention through the vacuum panels.
3Strength
If framing members are expanded outwardly, then structural support is enhanced, but cabinet volume is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The outward expansion of framing members is implemented locally at critical structural points rather than uniformly throughout the entire cabinet. This allows structural support to be enhanced where needed while minimizing the overall impact on cabinet volume and maximizing the space available for vacuum panels and storage compartments.
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 retains cooling within the refrigerator by minimizing heat loss through hermetic sealing and enhances structural stability with outwardly expanded framing members, ensuring efficient energy retention and mechanical integration without compromising insulation.
Implementation Method 1
a first vacuum insulated panel (50) and a second vacuum insulated panel (50) positioned within the polyurethane inner frame (32)
Implementation Method 2
hermetically sealed vacuum insulated panels
Data Source
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AI summary
A vacuum panel cabinet structure comprising a frame having side and back framing members defining a frame opening and panel receptacles, framing edges, at least one outwardly expanded framing member, and an inner surface. A plurality of vacuum panels disposed in the panel receptacles. A barrier film disposed on the vacuum panels. An outer enclosure having at least one extruded channel engaging the at least one outwardly expanded framing member, at least one outwardly contoured hinge, and an inward surface defining a frame receptacle into which the frame is disposed. A liner having at least four sidewalls, a back panel, a liner outer facing surface, and a liner perimetrical flange, wherein the liner outer facing surface is disposed within the frame opening proximate the frame inner surface. The liner perimetrical flange is disposed to the outer enclosure and includes a hermetically sealed infrastructure notch.