Wireless Vacuum Gauge Integration in Vacuum Insulation Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuum heat-insulating panels face challenges in long-term physical properties measurement, component protection under vacuum pressure, sensor size limitations, and reduced heat-insulating performance due to sensor occupancy, which affect their operational longevity and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum heat-insulating member with a small-size wireless vacuum gauge featuring a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) pressure sensor, a battery charging unit capable of charging without external power, and a transmission unit for wireless data transmission, designed to minimize size and maximize heat-insulating performance by using a thermocouple, piezoresistive, or crystal vacuum sensor, and employing non-contact charging methods like electromagnetic induction or magnetic field resonance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a conventional battery is used inside the vacuum heat-insulating member, then the sensor can operate for a limited time, but the battery cannot supply sufficient electric power for long-term operation (six months or more)
Solution Approach 1:
The battery charging unit enables the battery to recharge itself by utilizing temperature differences within the vacuum heat-insulating member through thermoelectric generation, eliminating the need for external power sources and enabling long-term autonomous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention exploits temperature gradients (thermal energy) present in the vacuum heat-insulating member to generate electrical energy through thermoelectric materials, converting waste thermal energy into useful power for the sensor
2Measurement precision
If a large-size sensor is installed inside the vacuum heat-insulating member, then the sensor can measure physical properties accurately, but the sensor occupancy reduces heat-insulating performance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces conventional large mechanical sensors with miniaturized MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) sensors that maintain measurement accuracy while occupying minimal space within the vacuum heat-insulating member
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the sensor by reducing its size to the micro-scale while maintaining its sensing capabilities through advanced MEMS technology
3Reliability
If components are placed inside the vacuum heat-insulating member, then the sensor can monitor performance, but the components are subjected to strong vacuum forces that may damage them
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a pressure-resistant structure with a pressure-resistant film that can withstand the strong vacuum forces while allowing the sensor to function inside the vacuum environment
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure-resistant structure is designed in advance to counteract and protect the sensor components from the harmful effects of vacuum pressure forces
4Loss of energy
If a small-size sensor is used to maintain heat-insulating performance, then the sensor occupancy is minimized, but the sensor may not have sufficient power for long-term operation
Solution Approach 1:
The miniaturized battery with charging unit can harvest and store energy from the thermal environment, enabling the small sensor to operate autonomously for extended periods without external power
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the energy parameters by implementing a rechargeable battery system that can accumulate and reuse energy from temperature differences
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
Ensures continuous power supply for long-term operation, protects components from vacuum forces, reduces sensor size to maintain heat-insulating performance, and achieves accurate pressure measurement comparable to larger vacuum gauges, thereby extending the durable life of the heat-insulating member.
Implementation Method 1
employing non-contact charging methods like electromagnetic induction or magnetic field resonance
Implementation Method 2
using a thermocouple, piezoresistive, or crystal vacuum sensor
Implementation Method 3
using a thermocouple, piezoresistive, or crystal vacuum sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
In a conventional vacuum heat-insulating members capable of measuring physical properties of the inside thereof using a sensor or the like, it is impossible to charge a battery which is provided thereinside to supply electric power to the sensor and others. Moreover, there is another technical problem that, if an internal space of the vacuum heat-insulating member is excessively occupied by the sensor and the battery, the volume of closed cells of a core formed by fibers is reduced and becomes insufficient, thereby leading to difficulty in preventing an inflow of gas from the outside. In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a vacuum heat-insulating member internally provided with a small-size wireless vacuum gauge comprising: a pressure sensor which is a thermocouple vacuum sensor, or a piezoresistive vacuum sensor, or a crystal vacuum sensor, or a combination of two or more of them; a battery; a battery charging unit; and a transmission unit for transmitting measurement data including at least a pressure value, wherein the pressure sensor is formed by microelectromechanical system (MEMS) techniques, and the battery charging unit is configured to charge the battery without any electrical connection with an external power source.