Vacuum-Insulated Refrigerator Connection Pipe for Low Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators rely on thick insulating materials between the inner and outer cases, which increase the size of the appliance, and existing drainage pipes compromise the airtight vacuum state or enhance heat transfer.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a vacuum space between the inner and outer cases, with a corrugated metal connection pipe that maintains airtightness and reduces heat transfer, allowing for drainage and refrigerant pipes to pass through while withstanding vacuum pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If thick insulating material is used between inner case and outer case, then insulation effect is improved, but refrigerator size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the insulating material from the space between inner and outer cases, creating a vacuum space instead. This extraction of the traditional insulation medium eliminates the need for thick insulation layers while maintaining insulation performance, thereby reducing refrigerator size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the space between cases from solid (insulating material) to vacuum (empty space with removed gas molecules). This parameter change from having matter present to having vacuum fundamentally alters the insulation mechanism while reducing the required thickness.
2Ease of manufacture
If plastic pipe is used to pass through vacuum space, then ease of manufacture is improved, but airtight state cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure where a pipe passes through the vacuum space but is sealed at both ends within the inner case. The combination of the pipe material and sealing mechanism creates an airtight system that maintains vacuum while allowing fluid passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe acts as an intermediary element that connects the inner case to external components while maintaining vacuum integrity. By sealing the pipe ends within the inner case, it mediates between the need for external connections and the requirement for vacuum maintenance.
3Strength
If metal pipe is used to pass through vacuum space, then strength is improved, but heat transfer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different thermal conductivity properties to different parts of the system. The pipe is made of metal for strength where needed, but the vacuum space surrounding it provides thermal insulation. This local differentiation of material properties allows strength where required while maintaining overall thermal insulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of metal pipe heat conduction into a benefit by using the vacuum space as an insulating barrier. The metal pipe's strength is utilized while its heat conduction drawback is counteracted by the vacuum environment, turning a disadvantage into an acceptable compromise.
4Ease of operation
If pipe is connected to pass through inner case, insulating material and outer case, then drainage function is achieved, but insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drainage path from the vacuum space by having the pipe pass only through the inner case while the vacuum space remains intact between the inner case and outer case. This segmentation allows drainage functionality while preserving the insulation barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner case serves as an intermediary that allows the drainage pipe to pass through while maintaining the vacuum space integrity. By routing the pipe through the inner case rather than through the vacuum space itself, the system mediates between drainage requirements and insulation preservation.
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 vacuum space provides superior insulation, reducing the refrigerator's size while maintaining storage capacity, and the connection pipe's design enhances durability and minimizes heat transfer.
Implementation Method 1
the inner case and the outer case defining, between the outer case and the inner case, a vacuum space that performs a function of insulation
Implementation Method 2
a connection pipe that passes through the vacuum space and that connects the first communication hole of the inner case to the second communication hole of the outer case
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a refrigerator including an inner case that defines an exterior appearance of a storage space, with a communication hole formed therein, an outer case spaced apart a predetermined distance from the inner case, with a communication formed at a position corresponding to the communication hole of the inner case, a vacuum space provided between the inner case and the outer case, with being maintained vacuum, to insulate the inner case from the outer case, and a connection pipe passing through the vacuum space, to connect the communication hole of the inner case and the communication hole of the outer case with each other.