Vacuum Insulation Panel Edge Structure to Prevent Sheet Gaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing vacuum heat insulation materials experience a reduction in heat insulation property when multiple sheets are lined up due to gaps generated between adjacent sheets, which compromises their thermal performance.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum heat insulation material with an outer covering material having a gas barrier property and a core material, where the peripheral edge is sealed, and a fin is formed on the outer covering material, with a compressed portion created by folding the peripheral edge back towards the core, ensuring a uniform height across the side surface, preventing large gaps and maintaining high thermal insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If fins are formed by overlapping outer covering material sheets to provide rigidity and strength, then the structural integrity is improved, but large protrusions are generated at corners causing gaps when multiple sheets are lined up

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverigidity and strength of finsVSAvoidprotrusion at corners
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the fin structure from overlapping sheets to a folded-back peripheral edge design. This changes the geometric parameters of the fin formation process, eliminating corner protrusions while maintaining the necessary rigidity and strength through the folded structure that creates compressed portions at regular intervals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of forming fins by overlapping sheets outward from the vacuum sealed bag, the patent inverts the approach by folding the peripheral edge back toward the vacuum sealed bag interior. This inverted formation method eliminates the protrusion problem at corners while still providing the required fin structure for heat dissipation and structural support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Area of stationary object

If multiple vacuum heat insulation materials are disposed lined up, then the coverage area is increased, but gaps are generated between adjacent materials reducing heat insulation property

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidheat insulation property
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the fin structure by eliminating corner protrusions through the folded-back design. This parameter modification ensures that when multiple vacuum heat insulation materials are lined up, their edges align flush without creating gaps, thereby maintaining consistent heat insulation properties across the entire assembled structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-compressing the folded-back peripheral edge to create a flat, uniform surface before assembly. This preliminary compression prevents gap formation during the subsequent assembly of multiple sheets, proactively eliminating the source of heat insulation degradation before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Shape

If the peripheral edge is folded back to create a uniform side surface, then gap prevention is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of side surfaceVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the folded-back peripheral edge into discrete fin portions with compressed sections at regular intervals. This segmentation transforms the complex folding operation into a series of simpler, repeatable steps that can be more easily manufactured while still achieving the desired uniform side surface profile.

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 configuration effectively suppresses the reduction in heat insulation property by preventing gaps between adjacent sheets, maintaining a high thermal insulation performance even when multiple sheets are stacked, with thermal conductivity reduced to 50 mW/mK or less, comparable to glass wool-filled gaps.

Implementation Method 1

a core material which is provided inside the outer covering material of which the inside is vacuum sealed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

a compressed portion which is formed by a protrusion being compressed, the protrusion being generated when the peripheral edge of the outer covering material is folded back toward the core material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3153760B1Vacuum thermal insulation material
Publication Date: 2019.02.06 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3153760B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3153760B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3153760B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A vacuum heat insulation material includes outer covering material (2) which has a gas barrier property and a core material that is provided in an inside of outer covering material (2), the inside of the outer covering material (2) being vacuum sealed, in which a sealed portion that is configured by sealing the peripheral edge of outer covering material (2), fin (4) that is formed on the peripheral edge of outer covering material (2), and compressed portion (21) which is formed by a protrusion being compressed, the protrusion is generated when the peripheral edge of outer covering material (2) is folded back toward the core material are provided. Thereby, it is possible to provide a vacuum heat insulation material that is able to suppress reduction of a heat insulation property when a plurality of sheets are disposed lined up.