WO2015185098A1

WO2015185098A1 - Clampless holder for use with vacuum insulation panels in a refrigerator and method of manufacturing a refrigerator

Info

Publication number: WO2015185098A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/061390
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mert Tosun; Yasin AKSIN; Tugba SARICAY
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2014-06-02
Filing date: 2014-06-02
Publication date: 2015-12-10

Abstract

The present invention relates to a holder (1) for use with vacuunn insulation panels (VIP) (2, 2', 2") in a refrigeration appliance which comprises an inner case (3) and an outer case (4) and the VIPs (2, 2', 2") arranged in between. The holder (1) of the present invention comprises a horizontal base segment (5) and a vertical wall segment (6) which are formed mutually perpendicular to each other without forming a clamping groove, thus being clampless.

Description

CLAMPLESS HOLDER FOR USE WITH VACUUM INSULATION PANELS IN A REFRIGERATOR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A REFRIGERATOR

The present invention relates to a holder for use with a vacuum insulation panel in a refrigeration appliance, in particular in a domestic refrigerator. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a refrigeration appliance which has vacuum insulation panels.

In general, the energy efficiency of a refrigeration appliance is influenced by several factors. An important factor is the thermal insulation of the refrigeration appliance. Several techniques are known for thermally insulating a refrigeration appliance. In a commonly known technique foam material, in particular polyurethane is injected between the outer case and the inner case of the refrigeration compartment. However, the thermal insulation capability of foam material is rather limited. In another commonly known technique the refrigeration appliance is thermally insulated by arranging vacuum insulation panels in between the outer case and the inner case. A thermal insulation panel, briefly called VIP has an evacuated porous core enclosed by a gas-tight case. The thermal conductivity of a VIP is several times lower than the thermal conductivity of foam material. Thus, the energy efficiency of a refrigeration appliance can be effectively increased by using VIPs. A VIP usually has a rectangular parallelepiped shape which does not match the irregular shape of the inner case. Therefore, the VIPs are commonly used in combination with foam material used to fill any gaps. In particular, the VIPs are fixed to the planar inner surface of the outer case, for example by an adhesive, and the gap between the VIPs and the outer surface of the inner case is filled with foam material.

A drawback of a VIP is that it is vulnerable to aging. In particular, some VIPs undergo physical changes and start bending or inflating, however, without significantly losing their thermal insulation capability. These physical changes are usually identifiable from the outside, in particular through corresponding deformations in the outer case, and give the impression that the refrigeration appliance has become junk. In these occurrences, the consumer satisfaction may easily degrade.

It is common practice to protect the outer case from deformations by way of arranging the VIP at a distance from the outer case and also from the inner case by using VIP spacers or the like.

CN201811530 (U) discloses a clamp for a vacuum insulation panel and a technique for manufacturing a refrigerator by utilizing the clamps. According to this technique, first a VIP is inserted into the clamping grooves of two clamps. Then the two clamps are fixed onto the housing by means of an adhesive such that the VIP does not directly contact the inner case and the outer case. Thereafter, the VIP is covered from all sides with foam material.

A drawback of this conventional clamp is that it can be used only with a VIP which has a thickness which matches its clamping groove. In addition, the VIP must be inserted into the clamping grooves before the conventional clamps are mounted onto the housing. Thus, the conventional clamp has a limited usability.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a holder for use with VIPs in a refrigeration appliance which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in a cost effective way and which enables an easy and a reliable installation of the holders and the VIPs. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a refrigeration appliance which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in a cost effective way and which enables a precise and reliable assembly of the VIPs by way of utilizing the holders.

This objective has been achieved by the clampless holder as defined in claim 1, the refrigeration appliance as defined in claim 10, and the manufacturing method as defined in claim 14. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.

The holder of the present invention is provided without a clamp. The clampless holder of the present invention comprises a horizontal base segment for supporting one or more than one vacuum insulation panel. The horizontal base segment has a planar first surface for abutting against a bottom surface of one or more than one vacuum insulation panel. The clampless holder of the present invention further comprises a vertical wall segment for aligning and positioning one or more than one vacuum insulation panel. The vertical wall segment has a planar second surface for abutting against a lateral surface of one or more than one vacuum insulation panel. The horizontal base segment and the vertical wall segment are formed mutually perpendicular to each other without forming a clamping groove, thus being clampless.

In an embodiment, the vertical wall segment is T-shaped and partitions the planar first surface of the horizontal base segment into three adjacent regions each for supporting/ aligning/positioning a separate vacuum insulation panel. Two of the regions can respectively accommodate a corner portion of two separate VIPs. The other region can accommodate an edge portion of another separate VIP.

In a version of this embodiment, the horizontal base segment is circular-shaped and two of the regions are quarter-circle shaped whereas third region is semi-circle shaped.

However, the present invention is not limited to the T-shaped configuration. In an alternative embodiment, the vertical wall segment is cross-shaped and partitions the horizontal base segment into four adjacent regions each for supporting / aligning / positioning a separate vacuum insulation panel, in particular a corner portion thereof. In another alternative embodiment, the vertical wall segment is linear shaped and partitions the horizontal base segment into two adjacent regions each for supporting / aligning / positioning a separate vacuum insulation panel, in particular an edge portion thereof.

In another embodiment, the clampless holder has a support with a seat for mounting on the inner case or the outer case through adhesives or double-sided bonding types.

In another embodiment, the planar first/second surfaces are suitable for receiving an adhesive or a double-sided bonding tape for fixing the VIPs.

The refrigeration appliance of the present invention comprises a plurality of clampless holders which are arranged in a region between the inner case and the outer case of the refrigeration appliance and are mounted on either on the inner case or on the outer case. The vacuum insulation panels are placed on the clampless holders without directly contacting the inner case and the outer case.

In another embodiment, the region between the inner case and the outer case includes cured foam material which completely or partly encloses the VIPs.

The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing a refrigeration appliance In the method of the present invention, one or more than one clampless holder are mounted onto their respective designated locations. Then, the vacuum insulation panels are aligned and positioned onto the respective clampless holders. Then, foam material is injected so as to partly or completely enclose the VIPs.

With the clampless holder of the present invention, a VIP can be precisely assembled with the refrigeration appliance. In particular, the clampless holders can be installed beforehand to their designated locations on the inner case or on the outer case, and a VIP can be subsequently aligned and positioned directly onto the pre-installed clampless holders. Thereby, a shifting or a skewing of the VIP during the installation can be practically eliminated. In addition, by virtue of the clampless holder of the present invention, a restriction on the thickness of the VIP to be assembled with the refrigeration appliance has been removed to a great extent. Thus, a relatively thick VIP as well as a relatively thin VIP can be aligned and placed onto the same pre-installed clampless holder. In addition, due to the cross-shaped or T-shaped or linear-shaped configuration of the clampless holder of the present invention, a single clampless holder can be used to align and position a plurality of VIPs at a time. Thus, the clampless holder of the present invention has an improved usability. With the manufacturing method of the present invention, the deformations occurring in the inner case and the outer case of the refrigeration appliance due to the physical alterations of a VIP can be more reliably prevented. Thereby, a consumer satisfaction can be increased.

Additional advantages of the clampless holder of the present invention, the refrigeration appliance of the present invention and the manufacturing method of the present invention will become apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 – is a schematic perspective view of a clampless holder according to an embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 2 – is a schematic plan view of the clampless holder according to an embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 3 – is a schematic lateral view of the clampless holder according to an embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the direction A shown in Fig. 2,

Figure 4 – is another schematic lateral view of the clampless holder according to an embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the direction B shown in Fig. 2,

Figure 5 – is schematic plan view of a plurality of clampless holders onto which a plurality of vacuum insulation panels has been aligned and positioned according to an embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 6 – is schematic lateral view showing a manufacturing step, wherein a vacuum insulation panel is aligned and positioned onto the clampless holders which are mounted on an inner case according to an embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 7 – is schematic view of a relatively thick vacuum insulation panel which is aligned and positioned onto the clampless holders mounted in a region between an inner case and an outer case according to an embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 8 – is schematic view of a relatively thin vacuum insulation panel which is aligned and positioned onto the clampless holders mounted in a region between an inner case and an outer case according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

Clampless holder
Vacuum insulation panel

2´ Vacuum insulation panel

2´´ Vacuum insulation panel
2a. Bottom surface
2b. Lateral surface
3. Inner case
4. Outer case
5. Horizontal base segment

5a. Planar first surface
5b. Rear surface
6. Vertical wall segment

6a. Planar second surface
7. Region

7a. First region

7b. Second region
7c. Third region

8a. Corner portion

8a´. Corner portion

8b. Edge portion
9. Elongated support

9a. Upper end

9b. Lower end
10. Seat

10a Mounting surface
11. Foam material

The clampless holder (1) is suitable for use with one or more than one rectangular parallelepiped vacuum insulation panel (2, 2´, 2´´) in a refrigeration appliance (not shown), in particular a domestic refrigerator (Fig. 1 to 8).

The refrigeration appliance comprises an inner case (3) and an outer case (4). The inner case (3) defines a refrigeration compartment. The outer case (4) encloses at least partly the inner case (3). The refrigeration appliance further comprises one or more than one vacuum insulation panel (2, 2´, 2´´) which are arranged in a region between the inner case (3) and the outer case (4) (Fig. 6 to 7).

The clampless holder (1) of the present invention has a horizontal base segment (5) and a vertical wall segment (6). The horizontal base segment (5) is suitable for supporting one or more than one vacuum insulation panel (2, 2´, 2´´). The horizontal base segment (5) has a planar first surface (5a) suitable for abutting against a bottom surface (2a) of one or more than one vacuum insulation panel (2, 2´, 2´´). The vertical wall segment (6) is suitable for aligning and positioning one or more than one vacuum insulation panel (2, 2´, 2´´). The vertical wall segment (6) has a planar second surface (6a) suitable for abutting against a lateral surface (2b) of one or more than one vacuum insulation panel (2, 2´, 2´´). The horizontal base segment (5) and the vertical wall segment (6) are formed mutually perpendicular to each other without forming a clamping groove (Fig. 1 to 8).

In an embodiment, the vertical wall segment (6) has a T-shaped cross section with respect to an imaginary plane which is parallel to the planar first surface (5a). The T-shaped vertical wall segment (6) partitions the planar first surface (5a) of the horizontal base segment (5) into three regions (7a, 7b, 7c). Each of the regions (7a, 7b, 7c) is suitable for supporting/aligning/positioning a separate vacuum insulation panel (2, 2´, 2´´) respectively. The first region (7a) and the second region (7b) are each configured to receive a corner portion (8a, 8a´) of separate vacuum insulation panels (2,2´) respectively. The third region (7c) is configured to receive an edge portion (8b) of another separate vacuum insulation panel (2´´) (Fig. 1 to 8).

In another embodiment, the horizontal base segment (5) is circular-shaped. The first region (7a) and the second region (7b) are each quarter-circle shaped. The third region (7c) is semi-circle shaped.

In another embodiment, the clampless holder (1) comprises an elongated support (9) which has a predetermined length in a direction which is perpendicular to the planar first surface (5a). The vertical wall segment (6) is formed on the planar first surface (5a) of the horizontal base segment (5). The elongated support (9) is formed on a rear surface (5b) of the horizontal base segment (5) which is opposite to the planar first surface (5a).

In another embodiment, the elongated support (9) is cylindrical shaped. The elongated support (9) is formed on a geometric center of the horizontal base segment (5).

In another embodiment, the clampless holder (1) comprises a seat (10) suitable for mounting on either one of the inner case (3) and the outer case (4). The seat (10) and the horizontal base segment (5) are formed on opposing ends (9a, 9b) of the elongated support (9).

In another embodiment, the seat (10) is circular shaped. The elongated support (9) is formed on a geometric center of the seat (10).

In another embodiment, the seat (10) has a mounting surface (10a) which is suitable for receiving an adhesive or a double-sided bonding tape.

In another embodiment, the planar first surface (5a) and the planar second surface (6a) are each suitable for receiving an adhesive or a double-sided bonding tape.

The refrigeration appliance of the present invention comprises a plurality of clampless holders (1) according to the present invention. The clampless holders (1) are arranged in a region between the inner case (3) and the outer case (4). The clampless holders (1) are mounted on the inner case (3) or the outer case (4). The vacuum insulation panels (2, 2´, 2´´) are placed on the clampless holders (1) without directly contacting the inner case (3) and the outer case (4) (Fig. 6 to 8).

In another embodiment, the clampless holders (1) are mounted on the inner case (3) or the outer case (4) through adhesives (not shown) or double-sided bonding types (not shown).

In another embodiment, the vacuum insulation panels (2, 2´, 2´´) are fixed to the clampless holders (1) through adhesives (not shown) or double-sided bonding tapes (not shown).

In another embodiment, the region between the inner case (3) and the outer case (4) includes cured foam material (11). The cured foam material (11) completely or partly encloses one or more than one vacuum insulation panel (2, 2´, 2´´) (Fig. 7 to 8).

The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing a refrigeration appliance In the method of the present invention, one or more than one clampless holder (1) are mounted onto their respective designated locations on the inner case (3) or on the outer case (4) in a region between the inner case (3) and the outer case (4). Then, the vacuum insulation panels (2, 2´, 2´´) are aligned and positioned onto the respective clampless holders (1). Then, foam material (11) is injected into the region between the inner case (3) and the outer case (4) so as to partly or completely enclose the vacuum insulation panels (2, 2´, 2´´) (Fig. 6 to 7).

In another embodiment, in the manufacturing method the clampless holders (1) are mounted to the inner case (3) or the outer case (4) through adhesives (not shown) or double-sided bonding types (not shown). In addition, the vacuum insulation panels (2, 2´, 2´´) are fixed to the clampless holders (1) through adhesives (not shown) or double-sided bonding tapes (not shown).

With the clampless holder (1) of the present invention, a VIP (2, 2´, 2´´) can be precisely assembled with the refrigeration appliance. The clampless holder (1) of the present invention can be used to align and position a plurality of VIPs (2, 2´, 2´´) which have a same or a different thickness. Thus, the clampless holder (1) of the present invention has an improved usability. With the manufacturing method of the present invention, the risk of developing deformations in the refrigeration appliance due to the physical alterations of a VIP (2, 2´, 2´´) has been reliably eliminated. Thereby, a consumer satisfaction can be increased.

Claims

A clampless holder (1) for use with one or more than one rectangular parallelepiped vacuum insulation panel (2, 2´, 2´´) in a refrigeration appliance, in particular a domestic refrigerator comprising an inner case (3) which forms a refrigeration compartment, and an outer case (4) which encloses at least partly the inner case (3), wherein said one or more than one vacuum insulation panel (2, 2´, 2´´) are arranged in a region between the inner case (3) and the outer case (4),

characterized in that

- a horizontal base segment (5) for supporting said one or more than one vacuum insulation panel (2, 2´, 2´´), wherein the horizontal base segment (5) has a planar first surface (5a) for abutting against a bottom surface (2a) of said one or more than one vacuum insulation panel (2, 2´, 2´´), and

- a vertical wall segment (6) for aligning and positioning said one or more than one vacuum insulation panel (2, 2´, 2´´), wherein the vertical wall segment (6) has a planar second surface (6a) for abutting against a lateral surface (2b) of said one or more than one vacuum insulation panel (2, 2´, 2´´),

- wherein the horizontal base segment (5) and the vertical wall segment (6) are formed mutually perpendicular to each other without forming a clamping groove.
The clampless holder (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that

the vertical wall segment (6) has a T-shaped cross section with respect to an imaginary plane which is parallel to the planar first surface (5a), and wherein the T-shaped vertical wall segment (6) partitions the planar first surface (5a) of the horizontal base segment (5) into three regions (7a, 7b, 7c) each for supporting/aligning/positioning a separate vacuum insulation panel (2, 2´, 2´´) respectively such that the first region (7a) and the second region (7b) are each configured to receive a corner portion (8a, 8a´) of separate vacuum insulation panels (2, 2´) respectively, and the third region (7c) is configured to receive an edge portion (8b) of another separate vacuum insulation panel (2´´).
The clampless holder (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that

the horizontal base segment (5) is circular-shaped, and wherein the first region (7a) and the second region (7b) are each quarter-circle shaped and the third region (7c) is semi-circle shaped.
The clampless holder (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that an elongated support (9) which has a predetermined length in a direction which is perpendicular to the planar first surface (5a), wherein the vertical wall segment (6) is formed on the planar first surface (5a) of the horizontal base segment (5), and wherein the elongated support (9) is formed on a rear surface (5b) of the horizontal base segment (5) which is opposite to the planar first surface (5a).
The clampless holder (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the elongated support (9) is cylindrical shaped, wherein the elongated support (9) is formed on a geometric center of the horizontal base segment (5).
The clampless holder (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that a seat (10) for mounting on an inner case (3) or on an outer case (4), wherein the seat (10) and the horizontal base segment (5) are formed on opposing ends (9a, 9b) of the elongated support (9).
The clampless holder (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the seat (10) is circular shaped, wherein the elongated support (9) is formed on a geometric center of the seat (10).
The clampless holder (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the seat (10) has mounting surface (10a) for receiving an adhesive or a double sided bonding tape.
The clampless holder (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the planar first surface (5a) and the planar second surface (6a) are suitable for receiving an adhesive or a double sided bonding tape.
A refrigeration appliance, in particular a domestic refrigerator comprising

an inner case (3) which defines a refrigeration compartment for refrigerating articles,

an outer case (4) which encloses at least partly the inner case (3) and

one or more than one vacuum insulation panel (2, 2´, 2´´) which are arranged in a region between the inner case (3) and the outer case (4),

the refrigeration appliance being characterized by comprising

a plurality of clampless holders (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the clampless holders (1) are arranged in a region between the inner case (3) and the outer case (4), and are mounted on the inner case (3) or the outer case (4), and wherein said one or more than one vacuum insulation panel (2, 2´, 2´´) is placed on the clampless holders (1) without directly contacting the inner case (3) and the outer case (4).
The refrigeration appliance according to claim 10, characterized in that the plurality of clampless holders (1) are mounted on the inner case (3) or the outer case (4) through adhesives or double sided bonding types.
The refrigeration appliance according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the said one or more than one vacuum insulation panel (2, 2´, 2´´) is fixed to the clampless holders (1) through adhesives or doubles sided tapes.
The refrigeration appliance according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the region between the inner case (3) and the outer case (4) includes cured foam material (11), wherein the cured foam material (11) completely or partly encloses one or more than one vacuum insulation panel (2, 2´, 2´´).
A method of manufacturing a refrigeration appliance as defined in any one of the claims 10 to 13, comprising

- a step of mounting one or more than one clampless holder (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9 on its respective designated location on the inner case (3) or on the outer case (4) in a region between the inner case (3) and the outer case (4),

- aligning and positioning one or more than on vacuum insulation panel (2, 2´, 2´´) onto said one or more than one clampless holder (1) without directly contacting the inner case (3) and the outer case (4), and

- a step of injecting foam material (11) into the region between the inner case (3) and the outer case (4) so as to partly or completely enclose said one or more than one vacuum insulation panel (2, 2´, 2´´).
The manufacturing method according to claim 14, characterized in that in the mounting step each clampless holder (1) is mounted to the inner case (3) or the outer case (4) through adhesives or double sided bonding types, and in the aligning and positioning step each vacuum insulation panel (2, 2´, 2´´) is fixed to the clampless holders (1) through adhesives or double sided bonding tapes.