Vacuum Insulated Panel Openings With Wrinkle-Free Barrier Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
The formation of through bores in vacuum insulated panels (VIPs) with geometric shapes can cause the barrier film to wrinkle and crease during the evacuation process, which is detrimental to the integrity of the panel.
Innovation Solution
The use of pucks with protrusions that compress the barrier film between them and the insulated core, minimizing wrinkles and creases by sealing the film around the perimeter of the core before removing the pucks and excess material, thus defining a wrinkle-free seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If through bores with geometric shapes are formed in VIPs during evacuation, then refrigeration lines and electrical conduit can be passed through, but the barrier film wrinkles and creases compromising panel integrity
Solution Approach 1:
A puck is inserted into the through bore before the evacuation process to compress and smooth the barrier film around the geometric opening. This preliminary action prevents the film from wrinkling and creasing during evacuation, maintaining barrier film integrity while allowing the through bore to accommodate refrigeration lines and electrical conduit
Solution Approach 2:
The puck serves as an intermediary tool that temporarily occupies the through bore during manufacturing. It compresses the barrier film to eliminate wrinkles, then is removed after the desired geometric shape is achieved, leaving a smooth, wrinkle-free opening that maintains both adaptability and reliability
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 method ensures a wrinkle-free and crease-free seal within the VIPs, maintaining the panel's insulation efficiency and structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
VIPs are generally made by sealing a panel of thermal insulation in a barrier film while subjecting the panel to a vacuum, a process referred to as 'evacuating'
Implementation Method 2
Upon being evacuated, the panel is contained within the barrier film in an evacuated state by heat sealing the barrier film
Data Source
AI summary
At least one puck is used to manufacture a vacuum insulated panel with a shaped opening. A pair of barrier films are positioned about an insulated core having a shaped opening such as a through bore, cutout, or relief. The puck includes a protrusion having a shape similar to that of the opening of the insulated core. With the barrier films positioned about the insulated core, the pucks are inserted into the opening from opposite sides of the insulated core to thereby compress the barrier films between the shaped protrusions of the pucks to thereby prevent wrinkles and/or creases in the barrier films. The insulated core is then subjected to a vacuum to evacuate the insulated core of any gases and the barrier films are heat sealed to maintain the insulated core in the evacuated state. Excess barrier film is then removed to provide a wrinkle and/or crease free seal.