EP2778581A2 - Gefaltete vakuumisolierte Struktur - Google Patents

Gefaltete vakuumisolierte Struktur Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2778581A2
EP2778581A2 EP14158615.6A EP14158615A EP2778581A2 EP 2778581 A2 EP2778581 A2 EP 2778581A2 EP 14158615 A EP14158615 A EP 14158615A EP 2778581 A2 EP2778581 A2 EP 2778581A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
blank
side walls
edges
layer
forming
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP14158615.6A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2778581A3 (de
Inventor
Guolian Wu
Nihat Cur
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Whirlpool Corp
Original Assignee
Whirlpool Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US13/836,669 external-priority patent/US9140481B2/en
Application filed by Whirlpool Corp filed Critical Whirlpool Corp
Publication of EP2778581A2 publication Critical patent/EP2778581A2/de
Publication of EP2778581A3 publication Critical patent/EP2778581A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D23/00—General constructional features
    • F25D23/06—Walls
    • F25D23/062—Walls defining a cabinet
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2201/00—Insulation
    • F25D2201/10—Insulation with respect to heat
    • F25D2201/14—Insulation with respect to heat using subatmospheric pressure

Definitions

  • the cabinet structure includes a metal outer layer and a polymer inner layer.
  • the inner and outer layers are spaced apart to form an insulation space.
  • the insulation space is filled with a filler material, and a vacuum is formed in the space.
  • a sheet metal layer is cut to form a blank.
  • the sheet metal layer includes a layer of heat-sealable polymer material that is laminated to a first side of the sheet.
  • a layer of polymer material including an impermeable layer of polymer material such as ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) is heat-sealed to the metal/polymer blank.
  • the resulting structure is then folded to form a cabinet structure having an "O" shape or a "U” shape. Additional insulated panels are then secured to the O or U-shaped primary structure to thereby form an insulated space.
  • a refrigerator 1 includes an insulated cabinet 2 that generally includes vertical side walls 4A and 4B, a horizontal upper wall 6, and a horizontal lower wall 8. Doors 10A and 10B are moveably mounted to the insulated cabinet 2 in a known manner.
  • refrigerator 1 may include an "O" shaped primary structure 20A ( Fig. 2 ), or it may include a U-shaped primary structure 20B ( Fig. 4 ).
  • O-shaped primary structure 20A defines enlarged front and rear openings 12 and 14, respectively. Doors 10A and 10B selectively close off the front opening 12, and a rear panel assembly 16 may be utilized to close off rear opening 14.
  • Rear panel assembly 16 may include a vertical panel 18, and a horizontal divider 22 and/or a vertical divider 24.
  • the divider 22 (or 24) may include a cooling module that cools the insulated space on opposite sides of the divider 22 (or 24). Examples of suitable cooling modules are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 13/108,226 entitled "COOLING SYSTEM INTEGRATION ENABLING PLATFORM ARCHITECTURE" filed on May 16, 2011; U.S. Patent Application No.
  • primary structure 20A includes an outer skin 26 and an inner skin 28.
  • the outer skin 26 comprises a layer of sheet metal (e.g. low carbon steel) having a layer of heat-sealable polymer material laminated to one side of the layer of metal.
  • Inner skin 28 comprises a layer of thermoplastic polymer such as high impact styrene and a barrier layer that may comprise polymer material such as ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH).
  • EVOH ethylene vinyl alcohol
  • the barrier layer forms a barrier with respect to gasses and water vapor.
  • the polymer inner skin 28 is sealed to the polymer material of the outer skin 26 to form an insulation space 30 ( Fig. 3 ).
  • the polymer inner skin 28 is may be sealed to the polymer material of the outer skin 26 utilizing a heat seal process that softens or partially melts the polymer material of the skin 26 and/or skin 28.
  • Heat can be generated using one or more conventional electrical resistance heating elements (not shown), or heat can be generated using ultrasonic processes. Mechanical pressure can also be used to seal the skins 26 and 28 together. Still further, adhesive or other suitable material can also be used to connect/seal skins 26 and 28 together.
  • Powdered silica or other filler material 32 is disposed in the insulation space 30, and a vacuum is formed in the insulation space 30 to thereby provide a vacuum insulated structure. Openings or valves 34 and 36 may be utilized to blow the filler material 32 into the space 32 prior to forming a vacuum.
  • the primary structure 20A may be placed in a vacuum chamber, and openings or valves 34 and 36 may then be closed to form a vacuum in the insulation space 30.
  • the filler material 32 may be positioned in the insulation space 30 prior to interconnection of outer skin 26 and inner skin 28.
  • the skins 26 and 28 sealed together in a vacuum chamber to form a vacuum in insulation space 30. If this process is utilized, the openings or valves 34 and 36 are not required.
  • a primary cabinet structure 20B is substantially U-shaped, with side walls 4A and 4B extending from a rear wall 38.
  • Upper and lower side walls 6A and 8A may comprise separate panels that are secured to the primary structure 20B to form an insulated space 44B.
  • the primary structure 20B includes a metal outer skin 26 and a polymer inner skin 28 that are heat sealed together to form a vacuum in substantially the same manner as primary structure 20A.
  • the upper side wall 6A or lower side wall 8A may include a cooling module as described above in connection with dividers 22 and 24.
  • An outer optional cover 46 having side walls 48A-48D (and optionally 48E) may be utilized to form an outer decorative surface of the refrigerator to cover, for example, the joints between primary structure 20B and upper and lower walls 6A and 6B, respectively.
  • the outer cover 46 is optional.
  • a refrigerator including the primary structure 20A of Fig. 2 may also include an outer cover 46.
  • a polymer liner 50 may also be disposed with the primary structure 20B. Polyurethane foam or the like may be injected into spaces between primary structure 20B and liner 50 to provide support for the polymer liner 50.
  • the polymer liner 50 may include various features such as shelf supports 52A-52C that support shelves 54.
  • O-shaped primary structure 20A is formed from a subassembly 56 that is folded along lines 58A-58C.
  • the inner skin 28 may comprise a composite sheet having a layer of thermoplastic polymer material such as high impact polystyrene that is laminated to a thin barrier layer of polymer material.
  • the thin barrier layer may comprise EVOH or other material (e.g. metal foil) capable of maintaining a vacuum in insulation space 30 for the life of the insulated cabinet structure.
  • the barrier layer may selected such that the thermal conductivity of the vacuum insulated structure does not exceed 200% of its initial value for at least 10 years.
  • the outer skin 26 may comprise a metal sheet 62.
  • Metal sheet 62 may comprise low carbon steel or the like having a pre-painted outer surface 66.
  • Outer skin 26 includes a layer of heat-sealable polymer material 64 that is laminated to the metal 62.
  • the inner skin 28 may be thermoformed to form elongated shaped grooves 70A-70C having angled side walls 72A and 72B.
  • the grooves 70 may include a flat side wall portion 74 extending between side walls 72A and 72B.
  • the lower surface 76 of flat side wall portion 74 may be spaced apart from surface 78 of heat-sealable plastic 64 to form a gap "G".
  • the lower surface 76 may be in contact with surface 78, and a seal may be formed between the surfaces 76 and 78.
  • the angled side walls may form a "sharp" V 74A if groove 70 includes a side wall 72C as shown in dashed lines.
  • outer skin 26 and inner skin 28 may be interconnected along the opposite side edges 68A and 68B of subassembly 56.
  • Inner skin 26 may include an outwardly extending flange 80 that is heat-sealed to the polymer material 64 of outer skin 26 along edge 82 of outer skin 26.
  • ends 60A and 60B of subassembly 56 may be angled at a 45 degree angle and joined together at a corner 84.
  • the ends of 60A and 60B may be orthogonal, and joined along a center seam 86.
  • the ends 60A and 60B may have a configuration that is substantially similar to the configuration of edges 68A and 68B ( Fig. 13 ).
  • polyurethane foam 88 Fig. 12
  • side wall 90 Fig.
  • inner skin 28 may be angled or beveled in a manner similar to the angled side walls 72A and 72B ( Fig. 11 ) along one or both side edges 68A, 68B to provide an angled front edge 92A ( Fig. 7 ) and/or angled rear edge 92B.
  • Edges 94 of panel 18 ( Fig. 2 ) may be beveled to fit closely with beveled or angled rear edges 92B of primary structure 20A.
  • Polyurethane foam 88 ( Fig. 12 ) may be injected between liner 50 and inner skin 28 to fill gaps at the joints between edge 92B of primary structure 20A and vertical panel 18.
  • a sheet of metal/plastic is cut to form a blank 126 having generally rectangular perimeter 96.
  • skin 28 comprises a thermoplastic polymer material such a high impact polystyrene that is laminated to a relatively thin layer of EVOH or other suitable barrier material. It will be understood that the skin 28 may comprise multiple layers of material, and the EVOH layer may be sandwiched between adjacent layers of thermoplastic polymer material.
  • the polymer material of the inner skin 28 is thermoformed utilizing known processes and tools to form a polymer blank 128 that includes the grooves 70A and 70C and side walls 90 ( Fig. 13 ) and flanges 80.
  • the polymer blank 128 is then positioned on the outer blank 126.
  • the filler material 32 may be positioned in cavities 30 prior to positioning polymer blank 128 on metal blank 126.
  • one or more pouches 33 containing filler material 32 may be placed on metal blank 126.
  • the pouches 33 may comprise a single elongated pouch having a generally rectangular perimeter that is positioned adjacent rectangular parameter 96 of outer skin blank 126. Alternately, a plurality of individual pouches 33 having shapes corresponding to individual panel sections 98A-98C may be positioned on the metal blank 126.
  • the pouches 33 may comprise an outer layer of paper or other permeable material 35 that permits airflow, but retains filler material 32.
  • the pouch may be compressed at the V-grooves 70A-70C such that the regions of the pouch 33 in the vicinity of the gap G ( Fig. 11 ) are thin.
  • the polymer blank 128 can be sealed to outer skin blank 126 along the V-grooves 70.
  • the metal blank 126 and polymer 128 are then positioned in a vacuum chamber (not shown).
  • the polymer blank 128 is sealed to polymer material 64 of outer skin blank 126 along flanges 80 to thereby form an air-tight seal around insulation spaces 30.
  • the polymer blank 128 is also sealed to metal blank 126 at V-grooves 70 if necessary for a particular application.
  • the entire perimeter 96 of subassembly 56 can be sealed in the vacuum chamber. Alternately, a portion of the rectangular perimeter 96 may be sealed prior to positioning the blanks 126 and 128 in the vacuum chamber, and the remaining portion of the perimeter 96 can be sealed in the vacuum chamber.
  • a plurality of the subassemblies 56 can be positioned in a single vacuum chamber in a stacked relationship, and the blanks 126 and 128 of the subassemblies 56 can be sealed in the vacuum chamber.
  • the blanks 126 and 128 can be connected/sealed utilizing a heat seal process, mechanical pressure, adhesives, or other suitable processes/materials.
  • the subassembly 56 After the subassembly 56 is removed from the vacuum chamber, it can be folded along the V-grooves 70A-70C to form a primary structure 20A ( Fig. 7 ).
  • the ends 60A and 60B can be adhesively interconnected or otherwise secured together.
  • a forming tool (not shown) can be positioned in the V-grooves 70A-70C during the bending process.
  • the blank 56 may optionally be heated in the vicinity of V-grooves 70A-70C to facilitate bending at the grooves 70A-70C.
  • the rear panel assembly 16 may then be secured to the primary structure 20A ( Fig. 2 ).
  • a polymer liner 50 may optionally be inserted into the primary structure 20A, and polyurethane foam 88 may be injected into the space 89 between inner skin 28 and polymer liner 50.
  • the filler material 32 may be positioned between the metal blank 126 and polymer blank 128 prior to the sealing operation as just described. Alternately, the outer metal blank 126 may be sealed to the polymer blank 128 under atmospheric conditions.
  • the subassembly 56 can then be folded to form primary structure 20A.
  • the filler material 32 can then be blown into the spaces 30 utilizing one or more openings or valves 34 and 36 ( Fig. 2 ).
  • a filter (not shown) may be placed over opening 36, and filler material 32 may be blown into the spaces 30 utilizing opening 34. The filter over opening 36 permits air to flow out of the internal space 30, thereby compacting the filler material 32 in spaces 30.
  • each panel section 98A-98C may include both an inlet opening 34 and an outlet opening 36 if filler material 32 is blown into spaces 30 after folding blanks 56.
  • a U-shaped primary structure 20B may be formed utilizing a metal blank 126A and a polymer blank 128A in substantially the same manner as described above in connection with Figs 5-7 .
  • the polymer blank 128 includes three panel sections 98A-98C corresponding to the three side walls 4A, 38 and 4B of U-shaped primary structure 20B ( Fig. 10 ).
  • an upper wall 6A and lower wall 8A are secured to the U-shaped primary structure 20B ( Fig. 4 ).
  • the side wall 90 ( Fig. 13 ) along side edges 68A and 68B ( Fig.
  • inner skin blank 128 may be angled at, for example, a 45 degree angle (i.e. similar to side wall 72B of Fig. 11 ), such that upper edges 5A-5C ( Fig. 10 ) and lower edges 11A-11C of primary structure 20B are beveled or angled.
  • side edges 7A-7C of upper wall 6A ( Fig. 4 ) and edges 9A-9C of lower wall 8A may also be beveled.
  • Polyurethane foam 88 ( Fig. 12 ) can be utilized to fill any spaces that may exist at the joints formed between upper wall 6A and primary structure 20B, as well as gaps at joints between lower wall 8A and primary structure 20B.
  • a vacuum insulated cabinet 102 includes an inner member 104, and an outer member 106.
  • Inner member 104 may comprise a one-piece metal structure having including integrally formed side walls 108A-108E
  • outer member 106 may comprise a one-piece metal member having side walls 110A-110E.
  • inner and outer members 104 and 106 may both be formed from a single piece of sheet metal utilizing a drawing process, or one or both of the inner and outer members 104 and 106 may be thermoformed from a sheet of polymer material. If inner member 104 or outer member 106 is formed of a polymer material, the polymer material preferably includes a barrier layer such as EVOH or metal foil, and one or more layers of thermoplastic material.
  • inner member 104 is positioned inside outer member 106, and an elongated edge member 112 is connected to the inner member 104 and outer member 106 along edges 114 and 116 to thereby form a space 118 between inner member 104 and outer member 106.
  • the edge member 112 may comprise an extruded polymer material, and preferably includes one or more layers of impermeable material such as EVOH and layers of regions of thermoplastic polymer material.
  • the edge member 112 may be sealingly connected to the edges 114 and 116 utilizing adhesive sealant or other suitable material.
  • inner member 104 and/or outer member 106 may comprise a metal sheet having a layer of heat-sealable polymer material laminated to a side face of the material, and the edges 114 and 116 may be heat-sealed to edge member 112.
  • inner member 104 and/or outer member 106 may comprise a polymer material and the edges 114 and 116 can be heat-sealed to edge member 112. If inner member 104 and outer member 106 comprise sheet metal, the edge member 112 provides a thermal break, thereby reducing or preventing conductive heat transfer between inner member 104 and outer member 106.
  • Filler material 120 is disposed in insulating space 118.
  • the filler material may comprise silica or other porous material capable of supporting the inner and outer members 104 and 106 when a vacuum is formed in the insulating space 118.
  • the inner member 104, outer member 106, and edge member 112 may be positioned in a vacuum chamber, and filler material 120 may be disposed and compacted in space 118.
  • the edge member 112 may then be sealingly connected to the inner member 104 and outer member 106, and the cabinet 102 can then be removed from the vacuum chamber.
  • one or more openings or valves 34 and 36 can be utilized to blow filler material 120 into insulating space 118, and the openings can then be sealed off before removal of the cabinet 102 from a vacuum chamber

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Refrigerator Housings (AREA)
  • Thermal Insulation (AREA)
EP14158615.6A 2013-03-15 2014-03-10 Gefaltete vakuumisolierte Struktur Withdrawn EP2778581A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/836,669 US9140481B2 (en) 2012-04-02 2013-03-15 Folded vacuum insulated structure

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2778581A2 true EP2778581A2 (de) 2014-09-17
EP2778581A3 EP2778581A3 (de) 2015-12-02

Family

ID=50238254

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP14158615.6A Withdrawn EP2778581A3 (de) 2013-03-15 2014-03-10 Gefaltete vakuumisolierte Struktur

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2778581A3 (de)
BR (1) BR102014006063A2 (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2515903A (en) * 2014-06-05 2015-01-07 Daimler Ag A container deliminating a cargo space and a method for varying the insulation property of at least parts of a container
EP3330651A1 (de) * 2016-11-30 2018-06-06 Liebherr-Hausgeräte Lienz GmbH Kühl- und/oder gefriergerät

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT1201782B (it) * 1986-09-18 1989-02-02 Zanussi Zeltron Inst Procedimento per al fabbricazione di apparecchi frigoriferi
US5066437A (en) * 1990-03-19 1991-11-19 Barito Robert W Method for insulating thermal devices
JP3968612B2 (ja) * 1998-01-27 2007-08-29 三菱電機株式会社 全真空断熱箱体及びその全真空断熱箱体を用いた冷蔵庫並びにその全真空断熱箱体の製造方法及び解体方法
US6109712A (en) * 1998-07-16 2000-08-29 Maytag Corporation Integrated vacuum panel insulation for thermal cabinet structures
JP3559035B2 (ja) * 2002-12-05 2004-08-25 松下冷機株式会社 真空断熱材およびその製造方法、並びに真空断熱材を使用した防寒具およびパーソナルコンピューター
US20120285971A1 (en) * 2011-05-09 2012-11-15 General Electric Company Integrated vacuum insulation panel

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2515903A (en) * 2014-06-05 2015-01-07 Daimler Ag A container deliminating a cargo space and a method for varying the insulation property of at least parts of a container
EP3330651A1 (de) * 2016-11-30 2018-06-06 Liebherr-Hausgeräte Lienz GmbH Kühl- und/oder gefriergerät

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BR102014006063A2 (pt) 2016-01-05
EP2778581A3 (de) 2015-12-02

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