WO2006011112A1

WO2006011112A1 - An insulated unit

Info

Publication number: WO2006011112A1
Application number: PCT/IB2005/052390
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alper Soysal; Fatih Ozkadi
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2004-07-21
Filing date: 2005-07-18
Publication date: 2006-02-02
Also published as: TR200700214T1; ATE396372T1; EP1769204A1; EP1769204B1; DE112005001738T5; DE602005007030D1

Abstract

This invention relates to an insulated unit (1) comprising a connector (5) which enables the transfer of mechanical and electrical lines of the cooling system from outside to the inner volume surrounded by vacuum insulation cabinets (2), without interfering the vacuum insulated cabinets (2).

Description

Description AN INSULATED UNIT

[001] This invention relates to an insulated unit which is utilized in home appliances such as cooling devices, washers, washer/dryers and ovens comprising vacuum insulated cabinets.

[002] In insulated units utilized in home appliances such as cooling devices, washers, washer/dryers and ovens, polyurethane foam is preferably used as insulation material between the inner and outer casings that form the body. Especially in cooling devices, in order to increase thermal insulation and thus, decrease energy consumption and increase the rigidity of the cooling cabin, an insulation material between the inner and outer casings and one or more than one Vacuum Insulated Panel (VIP) are used. Moreover, especially in cooling devices, cooling cabin can be manufactured using Vacuum Insulated Cabinets (VIC) constructed by applying the insulation material into casings made of plastic materials, which are brought to the desired form by thermal processes, and by vacuum tight sealing these casings.

[003] Vacuum insulated cabinet is obtained by inserting insulation materials such as glass fiber, silicate, perlite, aero gel, polystyrene extracted by open cell extrusion, open cell polyurethane, and recycled urethane fluff (RUF) between plastic surfaces of various forms and vacuum sealing these surfaces. Vacuum insulated cabinet manufactured by the above mentioned method has a constant vacuum level. Vacuum level of a vacuum insulated cabinet varies according to the insulation material applied. Consequently, since their thermal conductivity is low, vacuum insulated cabinets have the capability of decreasing the heat transfer into the cooling device from the outer medium.

[004] Especially in cooling devices, there may arise a variety of difficulties when designing a cooling cabinet and a door which maintain the vacuum level and ac¬ cordingly the insulation performance for a specified time. In the current state of art, there are several methods for solving problems that arise in assembling vacuum insulated cabinets and installing electric cables inside the cooling cabinet.

[005] In the current state of art, in United States Patent US5512345, vacuum insulated cabinets are developed and assembly of these cabinets is described.

[006] In the current state of art, in United States Patent US5875599, realisation of a modular insulated unit by assembling one or more than one vacuum insulation panels is described.

[007] In the current state of art, in German Patent Application DE19957806, airtight thermal insulation wall is airtight assembled in such a way as to form a compartment that is filled with thermal insulation material and that the air inside can be discharged through the connection profile. This assembly process is achieved by the leaning of one of the outer layers of thermal insulation wall to the other outer layer as a result of material deformation, and at least one passageway is established between the two thermal insulation walls wherein cables and such can be laid. [008] In the current state of art, in German Patent Application DE10015876, a structure that surrounds the vacuum insulated panel is described. [009] The aim of this invention is to realize a modular insulated unit that is especially applied for cooling devices and that is formed by attaching vacuum insulated cabinets that will sustain the vacuum level and accordingly the insulating performance for a specified time. [010] The insulated unit designed to fulfil the object of this invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[011] Fig. 1- is a schematic view of an insulated unit,

[012] Fig. 2 - is a cross section view of a vacuum insulated cabinet,

[013] Fig. 3 - is a perspective view of a single channel connector,

[014] Fig. 4 - is a perspective view of a double channel connector,

[015] Fig 5 - is a schematic view of vacuum insulation cabinets that are assembled by connectors, [016] Elements shown in figures are numbered as follows :

1. Insulated unit

2. Vacuum insulated cabinet

3. Connection edge

4. Insulation cavitiy

5. Connector

6. Channel

7. Passage

8. Inner shell

9. Outer shell

[017] The insulated unit (1), which is the object of the present invention, comprises at least one vacuum insulated cabinet (2) which is vacuum tight sealed after it is filled with the insulation material, and one or more than one connectors (5) which connect more than one vacuum insulated cabinet (2).

[018] The vacuum insulated cabinet (2) comprises an outer shell (9) the sides of which are welded on top of each other and preferably shaped by means of thermal processes, an inner shell (8), a connection edge (3) where welding is applied and only the sides of the inner shell (8) and outer shell (9) are in contact, and an insulation cavity (4) between the inner and outer shell (8, 9), surrounded by a connection edge (3) and vacuum tight sealed after it is filled with the insulation material (Figure 2).

[019] The connector (5) comprises a channel (6) along one or more than one side, enabling the connection of a side, preferably the connection edge (3), of the vacuum insulated cabinet (2), and passages (7) with adequate number and size, enabling transmission of mechanical and electrical lines (pipes and cables), especially connections of the cooling systems (such as pipes in the cooling cycle which transmit the refrigerant fluid) in cooling devices, from outside to the inner volume that is formed by the assembly of vacuum insulated cabinets (2), without interfering the vacuum insulated cabinets (2).

[020] Transfer of the transmission lines to another connector (5) is provided by po¬ sitioning the outlets of passages (7) overlapping the passages (7) on connectors (5). These passages (7) are designed along the length and/or the width of the connector (5) and enable the passage of transmission lines inside the connector (5). Transmission lines can easily be transferred from one connector (5) to the other by means of these passages (7). Thus, the transfer of transmission lines to all surfaces of the closed volume which is surrounded by the vacuum insulated cabinets (2) is provided.

[021] The thickness of the connector (5) is preferably equal to that of the vacuum insulated cabinet (2), thus, when it is attached to the vacuum insulated cabinet (2) no irregularities are formed on the vacuum insulated cabinet (2) enabling a more efficient use of inner and outer surfaces of the cabinets formed by joining vacuum insulated cabinets (2). The connector (5) can be manufactured from metal or plastic material (polyurethane, polystyrene or such) (Figure 3 and Figure 4).

[022] By mounting connectors (5) to each other by means of fixing elements where the parts of connectors (5) which are attached along the connection edges (3) of vacuum insulated cabinet (2) are in contact, a more rigid structure is obtained.

[023] The walls that form the insulated unit (1) are the ones forming the vacuum insulated cabinet (2), and by assembling the walls by the connectors (5) a closed volume which is isolated from outer medium is achieved. Connectors (5) form the frame of this closed volume. Connectors (5) are attached to the vacuum insulated cabinet (2) by preferably tight fit and sealing is obtained by the application of mechanical or chemical methods (Figure 1 and Figure 5).

[024] In order to assemble two or more vacuum insulated cabinets (2), a connector (5) which comprises as many channels (6) as the amount of vacuum insulated cabinets (2) to be assembled, is used. A connector (5) with a single channel (6) is used when the vacuum insulated cabinet (2) is attached to one connection edge (3) (Figure 3 and Figure 4).

[025] In the preferred application of the present invention, insulated unit (1) is a cooling device and this cooling device is manufactured as follows:

[026] After the vacuum insulated cabinet (2), which preferably forms a sidewall of the cooling device, is attached to the channel (6) which rests on the connector (5) including two channels (6) by means of a connection edge (3), vacuum insulated cabinet (2), which forms the rear wall of refrigerator, is attached to the other channel (6) which is preferably vertical to this channel (6). Subsequently, the connection edge (3) opposite to the one which is inserted into the channel (6) of the vacuum insulated cabinet (2) which forms the rear wall, is attached to another connector (5) having two channels (6), and other side wall of the cooling device is attached to the channel (6) which is on the surface of the connector (5) which is preferably vertical to the rear wall. With the three sides of the cooling device closed by means of three vacuum insulated cabinets (2), vacuum insulated cabinets (2) forming the bottom and top walls of the cooling device are attached to these vacuum insulated cabinets (2) by means of connectors (5). Connectors (5) having one channel (6) are attached to the connection edges (3) situated on side walls where the door of the cooling device is mounted facing outside. However, these connectors (5) preferably do not comprise any channels (6) in the direction opposite to the channel (6) where the connection edge (3) of the vacuum insulated cabinet (2) is attached and have an appropriate structure enabling the mounting of the gasket, positioned on the door, sealing and separating the outer medium from the inner volume of the cooling device.

[027] In the last stage of the preferred application of the present invention, the door is attached to the cooling device comprising bottom, top, side and rear walls using the connectors (5) that are attached to the connection edges (3) of vacuum insulated cabinets (2) forming the side walls by means of fixing methods available in the current state of art; thus, providing a cooling device.

[028] In order to establish necessary electrical connections inside the volume of the cooling device, transmission lines are passed inside the connector (5) through the passages (7) provided on connectors (5) having their inlets preferably at the rear corners of the cooling device. Consequently, transmission lines are conveyed inside the connectors (5) to the inside or outside the cooling device by means of passages (7). There are various methods applied in order to hide the transmission lines which are conveyed to the inner volume of the cooling device by means of an outlet.

[029] Therefore, combining vacuum insulated cabinets (2) in different directions using connectors (5), insulated units (1) comprising one or more than one compartments are obtained.

[030] With this invention, since the mechanical and electrical connections of the cooling system are conveyed without interfering the vacuum insulated cabinet (2) from the outer medium to the inner volume surrounded by vacuum insulated cabinets (2), any leakage which could adversely affect the vacuum is eliminated, insulated units (1) that include vacuum insulated cabinets (2) with stable vacuum levels can be utilized; thus, especially long term maintenance of the thermal performance of the cooling device and modular assembly of the vacuum insulated cabinets (2) are achieved.

Claims

[001] An insulated unit (1) comprising more than one vacuum insulated cabinet (2) which is vacuum tight sealed after the insulation material is inserted, and char¬ acterised by one or more than one connectors (5) connecting more than one vacuum insulation cabinets (2) and comprising one or more than one channels (6) where the edge of vacuum insulated cabinet (2) fits.

[002] An insulated unit (1) as described in Claim 1, characterized by a connector (5) comprising adequate number and size of passages (7) enabling the convey of mechanical and electrical lines from outside to the inner volume that is formed by the attachment of vacuum insulated cabinets (2), without interfering the vacuum insulated cabinets (2).

[003] An insulated unit (1) as described in Claim 2, characterized by a connector (5) forming its edge.

[004] An insulated unit (1) as described in Claim 1-3, characterized by a connector

(5) attached along the connection edges (3) of the vacuum insulated cabinet (2) and mounted to each other by means of fixing elements on the sides where they are in contact.

[005] An insulated unit (1) as described in any of the Claims above, characterized by a connector (5) attached to the vacuum insulated cabinet (2) by means of tight fit.

[006] An insulated unit (1) as described in any of the Claims above, characterized by a connector (5) comprising as many channels (6) as the number of vacuum insulated cabinets (2) to be attached, in order to attach two or more vacuum insulated cabinets (2).