U.S. patent application number 13/805271 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-09 for vacuum insulation material and insulation structure for refrigerator cabinet having the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG ELECTRONICS INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Youngbae Kim, Jaehyun Soh, Ilseob Yoon. Invention is credited to Youngbae Kim, Jaehyun Soh, Ilseob Yoon.
Application Number | 20130115407 13/805271 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45893603 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130115407 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Soh; Jaehyun ; et
al. |
May 9, 2013 |
VACUUM INSULATION MATERIAL AND INSULATION STRUCTURE FOR
REFRIGERATOR CABINET HAVING THE SAME
Abstract
A vacuum insulation material includes a core material, and a
wrapping member configured to cover the core material, the wrapping
member provided with an outermost layer externally exposed, a
barrier layer laminated beneath the outermost layer, and a thermal
bonding layer disposed beneath the barrier layer and contacting the
core material, wherein the barrier layer comprises at least one
polyimide film, on which an inorganic layer is laminated. With the
configuration, the wrapping member of the vacuum insulation
material can be more resistant to high temperature such that the
vacuum insulation material can be safe from the risk of
deformation, resulting in enhancing reliability of insulation
efficiency.
Inventors: |
Soh; Jaehyun; (Changwon-Si,
KR) ; Yoon; Ilseob; (Changwon-Si, KR) ; Kim;
Youngbae; (Changwon-Si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Soh; Jaehyun
Yoon; Ilseob
Kim; Youngbae |
Changwon-Si
Changwon-Si
Changwon-Si |
|
KR
KR
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
LG ELECTRONICS INC.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
45893603 |
Appl. No.: |
13/805271 |
Filed: |
September 2, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
September 2, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR11/06531 |
371 Date: |
December 18, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
428/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 23/065 20130101;
Y10T 428/231 20150115; F25D 23/06 20130101; F25D 2201/14
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
428/69 |
International
Class: |
F25D 23/06 20060101
F25D023/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 29, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0094786 |
Claims
1. A vacuum insulation material comprising: a core material; and a
wrapping member configured to cover the core material, the wrapping
member comprising an outermost layer externally exposed, a barrier
layer laminated beneath the outermost layer, and a thermal bonding
layer disposed beneath the barrier layer and contacting the core
material, wherein the barrier layer comprises at least one
polyimide film, on which an inorganic layer is laminated.
2. The material of claim 1, wherein the inorganic layer is a
laminated aluminum foil.
3. The material of claim 1, wherein the inorganic layer is that
aluminum is laminated on the polyimide film through vacuum-Al
metalizing.
4. The material of claim 1, wherein the barrier layer comprises at
least one polyimide film having a laminated aluminum foil, and at
least one polyimide film having a vacuum-metalized aluminum.
5. An insulation structure for a refrigerator cabinet comprising:
an outer surface and an inner surface of the refrigerator main
body; and an insulating unit formed between the outer and inner
surfaces of the refrigerator cabinet, wherein the insulating unit
comprises a polyurethane foam layer, and a vacuum insulation
material according to claim 1.
6. An insulation structure for a refrigerator cabinet comprising:
an outer surface and an inner surface of the refrigerator main
body; and an insulating unit formed between the outer and inner
surfaces of the refrigerator cabinet, wherein the insulating unit
comprises a polyurethane foam layer, and a vacuum insulation
material according to claim 2.
7. An insulation structure for a refrigerator cabinet comprising:
an outer surface and an inner surface of the refrigerator main
body; and an insulating unit formed between the outer and inner
surfaces of the refrigerator cabinet, wherein the insulating unit
comprises a polyurethane foam layer, and a vacuum insulation
material according to claim 3.
8. An insulation structure for a refrigerator cabinet comprising:
an outer surface and an inner surface of the refrigerator main
body; and an insulating unit formed between the outer and inner
surfaces of the refrigerator cabinet, wherein the insulating unit
comprises a polyurethane foam layer, and a vacuum insulation
material according to claim 4.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vacuum insulation
material and an insulation structure of a refrigerator cabinet
having the same, and more particularly, a vacuum insulation
material capable of enhancing reliability of insulation efficiency
of a refrigerator cabinet by making a wrapping member of the vacuum
insulation material used in the refrigerator more resistant to high
temperature so as to protect the vacuum insulation material from a
risk of deformation upon installed in the refrigerator.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In general, a refrigerator is an apparatus for storing foods
at low temperature, and includes a cabinet defining storage spaces,
such as a refrigerating chamber, a freezing chamber or the like for
storing foods, doors for opening or closing the refrigerating
chamber and the freezing chamber, and a machine part having a
refrigerant compression cycle.
[0003] Here, the cabinet, referring to FIG. 1, is generally
configured such that an insulation material is filled between an
outer surface 10 defining its appearance and an inner surface 20
defining the storage spaces to enhance cooling efficiency. To this
end, a polyurethane foam 30 is injected and foamed between the
inner surface 20 and the outer surface 10 in an assembled state as
shown in FIG. 2.
[0004] The polyurethane foam 30 contains air therein, which causes
limitation in view of improving its insulation efficiency. Hence,
referring to FIG. 3, an insulation structure having an improved
insulation function is employed. Namely, a vacuum insulation
material 40 as well as the portion formed by the polyurethane foam
30 are employed between the outer surface 10 and the inner surface
20 of the cabinet. In other words, the polyurethane foam and the
vacuum insulation material are positioned sequentially from the
inner surface.
[0005] The vacuum insulation material is shown in FIG. 4. As shown
in FIG. 4, the vacuum insulation material 40 includes a core
material 41 formed by laminating (stacking, depositing) panels
formed of glass fibers or silica, and present in a vacuum state,
and a wrapping member 42 for wrapping the core material 41 to
maintain the vacuum state of the core material 41. In the meantime,
when the core material 41 is formed of glass fibers, getters 43 is
often included in the wrapping member 42 to remove gas components
introduced into the wrapping member 42. Here the getter is not
required when the silica is used as the core material 41.
[0006] The wrapping member 42 is a constituting element in a shape
of envelope, which is formed by laminating (depositing) various
materials, and accommodates the core material 41 therein. In
general, referring to FIG. 5, the wrapping member 42 has a
structure of interposing (coupling) an aluminum foil 42b between
polymer films 42a and 42c to prevent permeation of humidity and
gas.
[0007] When the vacuum insulation material is mounted in the
cabinet of the refrigerator, the vacuum insulation material is
first situated in the cabinet and the polyurethane foam is filled
therein. When the polyurethane is injected to become a polyurethane
foam, reaction heat is generally generated. The reaction heat heats
up the polyurethane foam in the range of 70.degree. C. to
100.degree. C.
[0008] Such increased heat (temperature) is transferred to the
vacuum insulation material contacting the polyurethane foam,
accordingly, the wrapping member of the vacuum insulation material
may be deformed due to the transferred heat. Consequently,
insulation efficiency of the vacuum insulation material may be
lowered.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0009] Therefore, to obviate those problems, an aspect of the
detailed description is to provide a vacuum insulation material
having excellent thermal endurance without being thermally deformed
by reaction heat even though polyurethane foam is filled in a
cabinet of a refrigerator.
[0010] Another aspect of the detailed description is to provide a
vacuum insulation material capable of exhibiting reliable
insulation efficiency by reducing a risk for deformation by
ensuring excellent thermal endurance.
[0011] Another aspect of the detailed description is to provide an
insulation structure for a refrigerator cabinet, capable of
exhibiting excellent insulation efficiency by virtue of the use of
a vacuum insulation material obtaining reliable insulation
performance by reduction of a risk for deformation in response to
enhanced thermal endurance.
Solution to Problem
[0012] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with
the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly
described herein, there is provided a vacuum insulation material
includes a core material, and a wrapping member configured to cover
the core material, the wrapping member provided with an outermost
layer externally exposed, a barrier layer laminated beneath the
outermost layer, and a thermal bonding layer disposed beneath the
barrier layer and contacting the core material, wherein the barrier
layer comprises at least one polyimide film, on which an inorganic
layer is laminated.
[0013] With the configuration, as the polyimide film having the
metalized inorganic layer is laminated between the outermost layer
and the thermal bonding layer of the wrapping member, thermal
endurance of the wrapping member can be enhanced and accordingly
the risk of deformation of the vacuum insulation material can be
reduced, thereby allowing for the use in a high temperature state.
Consequently, reliability of insulation efficiency of the vacuum
insulation material can be enhanced.
[0014] The inorganic layer may be configured by laminating an
aluminum foil on the polyimide film or laminating aluminum on the
polyimide film through vacuum-Al metalizing. Such configuration may
derive more improved functions of the vacuum insulation material in
view of insulation and humidity shielding.
[0015] The barrier layer may include at least one polyimide film
having a laminated aluminum foil, and at least one polyimide film
having a vacuum-metalized aluminum. With the configuration, several
sheets of polyimide films each having an inorganic layer can be
laminated one another, thereby allowing for designing of the vacuum
insulation material to have desired moisture vapor permeability and
air permeability.
[0016] In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, an insulation
structure for a refrigerator cabinet may include an outer surface
and an inner surface of the refrigerator main body, and an
insulating unit formed between the outer and inner surfaces of the
refrigerator cabinet, wherein the insulating unit comprises a
polyurethane foam layer, and a vacuum insulation material having
the features.
[0017] With the configuration, the vacuum insulation material
having the wrapping member, which has excellent thermal endurance
to be useable at high temperature, can be applied to the
refrigerator cabinet, thereby implementing a refrigerant cabinet
having high insulation efficiency and high reliability of
insulation performance.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0018] As the polyimide film having the metalized inorganic layer
is laminated between the outermost layer and the thermal bonding
layer of the wrapping member, thermal endurance of the wrapping
member can be enhanced and the risk of deformation of the vacuum
insulation material can be reduced, thereby allowing for the use in
a high temperature state. Consequently, reliability of insulation
efficiency of the vacuum insulation material can be enhanced.
[0019] In addition to improvement of insulation and humidity
shielding function of the vacuum insulation material, several
sheets of polyimide films each having the inorganic layer laminated
thereon are laminated, so as to allow for designing of the wrapping
member of the vacuum insulation material to have desired moisture
vapor permeability and air permeability.
[0020] Also, the vacuum insulation material having the wrapping
member, which has high thermal endurance to be useable at high
temperature, can be applied to the insulation structure of the
refrigerator cabinet, thus to implement a refrigerator cabinet
having high insulation efficiency and high reliability of
insulation performance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a general refrigerator;
[0022] FIGS. 2 and 3 are sectional views showing an outer wall of
the general refrigerator;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a vacuum insulation material
according to the related art;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a wrapping member
according to the related art; and
[0025] FIGS. 6 to 8 are partial sectional views showing exemplary
embodiments of a wrapping member for a vacuum insulation material
in accordance with the present disclosure.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0026] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with
the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly
described herein, there is provided a vacuum insulation material
includes a core material, and a wrapping member configured to cover
the core material, the wrapping member provided with an outermost
layer externally exposed, a barrier layer laminated beneath the
outermost layer, and a thermal bonding layer disposed beneath the
barrier layer and contacting the core material, wherein the barrier
layer comprises at least one polyimide film, on which an inorganic
layer is laminated.
MODE FOR THE INVENTION
[0027] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below
in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings where those
components are rendered the same reference number that are the same
or are in correspondence, regardless of the figure number, and
redundant explanations are omitted. In describing the present
invention, if a detailed explanation for a related known function
or construction is considered to unnecessarily divert the gist of
the present invention, such explanation has been omitted but would
be understood by those skilled in the art. The accompanying
drawings are used to help easily understood the technical idea of
the present invention and it should be understood that the idea of
the present invention is not limited by the accompanying drawings.
The idea of the present invention should be construed to extend to
any alterations, equivalents and substitutes besides the
accompanying drawings.
[0028] FIGS. 6 to 8 are partial sectional views showing exemplary
embodiments of a wrapping member for a vacuum insulation material
in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0029] A vacuum insulation material according to this specification
may include a core material 200, and a wrapping member 100 for
covering the core material 200. The wrapping member 100 may include
an outermost layer 110 exposed to the exterior, a barrier layer 120
laminated beneath the outermost layer 110, and a thermal bonding
layer 130 located beneath the barrier layer 120 and contacting the
core material 200. The barrier layer 120 may include one or more
polyimide films 121a and 121b, on which inorganic layers 122a and
122b are laminated, respectively.
[0030] The core material 200 may be made of glass fiber, which is
well-known as a material having an excellent insulation
characteristic. The core material 200 may be formed by laminating
(stacking) panels woven from the glass fibers so as to obtain a
high insulation effect. The core material 200 may alternatively
employ silica. The silica is superior to the glass fiber in the
aspect of long-term reliability, by virtue of less change in
performance even after extended use.
[0031] The wrapping member 100 may include the outermost layer 110,
the barrier layer 120 and the thermal bonding layer 130. The
wrapping member 100 may maintain a vacuum state of the core
material 200 and function to protect the core material 200.
[0032] The outermost layer 110 may be exposed to an outer surface
of the vacuum insulation material. In this specification, the
outermost layer 110 may be formed of nylon. The nylon is a material
having high elasticity, accordingly, use of the nylon may prevent
the vacuum insulation material from being destroyed even due to an
external impact, which may be generated during assembly or
installation of the vacuum insulation material. Especially, in
regard of the fact that the vacuum insulation material for a
refrigerator is fabricated with a considerable size for improving
efficiency, it may be possible to prevent in advance the vacuum
insulation material from being defective during work or destroyed
or damaged due to an external impact or scratch, by virtue of the
outermost layer 120 formed of nylon.
[0033] The thermal bonding layer 130 is a portion where edge
portions of the wrapping member 100 without the core material 200
are thermally bonded (welded) after accommodating the core material
200 therein to shield the inside of the wrapping member 100.
[0034] The thermal bonding layer 130 may be made of linear low
density polyethylene (LLDPE). The LLDPE may be medium-pressure
polyethylene or low-pressure polyethylene. Its molecular structure
is similar to high density polyethylene and its density is similar
to low density polyethylene, generally 0.915 to 0.965. Upon
employing such LLDPE as the thermal bonding layer 140, the LLDPE
exhibits relatively high melt viscosity, and rigidity or
environmental stress crack resistance and tear strength about twice
higher than those of the low-density polyethylene, so it may be
suitable to form the thermal bonding layer 130.
[0035] Meanwhile, the barrier layer 120 may be formed between the
outermost layer 110 and the thermal bonding layer 130. The barrier
layer 120, as shown in FIG. 6, may include at least one of the
polyimide film 121a having the laminated inorganic layer 122a.
[0036] The barrier layer 120 may function to block permeation of
humidity and air and heat transfer into the wrapping member 100.
Hence, a plurality of polymer films may be laminated to have a
desired (expected) effect as the barrier layer 120. Especially,
inorganic layers may be interposed between the polymer films so as
to enhance insulation effect and effectively block permeation of
humidity and air.
[0037] The polyimide (PI) film has a melting point higher than
700.degree. C. and is used as a plastic material, which is usable
for a long term of time. Particularly, it exhibits high thermal
endurance in spite of the plastic material. This specification uses
this polyimide film to improve the thermal endurance of the
wrapping member 100.
[0038] That is, referring to FIG. 6, the polyimide film 121a, on
which the inorganic layer 122a is metalized, is laminated between
the outermost layer 110 and the thermal bonding layer 130 of the
wrapping member 100 so as to give the wrapping member 100 of the
vacuum insulation material high thermal endurance and reduce a risk
of deformation of the vacuum insulation material. Accordingly, the
vacuum insulation material may be allowed for use at high
temperature, thereby enhancing reliability of insulation
efficiency.
[0039] In the meantime, the inorganic layer 122a may be configured
by laminating an aluminum foil on the polyimide film or metalizing
aluminum on the polyimide film through vacuum-Al metalizing. Such
configuration may derive more improved functions of the vacuum
insulation material in view of insulation and humidity shielding,
as compared to the use of only the polyimide film.
[0040] The barrier layer 120 may include at least one polyimide
film having a laminated aluminum foil and at least one polyimide
film having a vacuum-metalized aluminum.
[0041] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a wrapping member
having a barrier layer, which includes a polyimide film 121a having
one aluminum metalized film 122a, and a polyimide film 121b having
one laminated aluminum foil 122b.
[0042] Also, FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of a wrapping
member having a barrier layer, which includes two polyimide films
121a each having an aluminum metalized layer 122a.
[0043] However, the present disclosure may not be limited to those
laminated structures. Alternatively, two or more polyimide films
each having an inorganic layer laminated thereon may be stacked one
another.
[0044] With the configuration, as several sheets of polyimide films
each having the inorganic layer laminated thereon are laminated one
another, it is able to design a wrapping member of the vacuum
insulation material with excellent thermal endurance and a desired
performance of shielding humidity and air.
[0045] The barrier layer 120 may further include one or more
polymer films 123 and 124 in addition to the inorganic
layer-laminated polyimide film. FIGS. 6 to 8 show examples
including a plurality of polymer films laminated one another.
[0046] The polymer films 123 and 124 may be made of ethylene
vinylalcohol (EVOH) or polyester (PET). However, the present
invention may alternatively employ any polymer film if it has a
similar function or effect, without limit to EVOH or PET.
[0047] Since the EVOH has an alcohol group with strong polarity, it
has a high intermolecular force and accordingly can have low oxygen
permeability. However, the EVOH is hydrophilic, thus it is
sensitive to water. The PET has a relatively good permeability.
Also, the PET is excellent in view of moisture vapor permeability
and relatively cheap cost, compared to the EVOH. Therefore, upon
using both EVOH and PET, the effect of shielding humidity and air
can be improved more.
[0048] In addition, an aluminum layer may be metalized at least one
or each of the polymer films 123 and 124. With this configuration,
more improved insulation efficiency can be exhibited and desired
moisture permeability and air permeability can be conveniently
set.
[0049] The present disclosure may not be limited to the foregoing
exemplary embodiments. Alternatively, a plurality of polymer films
may be laminated one another.
[0050] Meantime, an insulation structure for a refrigerator cabinet
may include outer surface and inner surface of the refrigerator
cabinet, and an insulating unit disposed between the outer and
inner surfaces of the refrigerator cabinet, and the insulating unit
may include a polyurethane foam layer, and a vacuum insulation
material having the aforementioned features.
[0051] That is, the polyurethane foam layer and the vacuum
insulation material may be laminated sequentially between the inner
surface and the outer surface of the refrigerator cabinet. The
vacuum insulation material may include a core material, and a
wrapping member to cover the core material. The wrapping member may
include an outermost layer, a barrier layer laminated beneath the
outermost layer, and a thermal bonding layer located beneath the
barrier layer and contacting the core material. The barrier layer
may include at least one polyimide film, on which an inorganic
layer is laminated. Also, the inorganic layer may be a laminated
aluminum foil. The inorganic layer may be configured by laminating
aluminum on the polyimide film through vacuum-Al metalizing. In
addition, the barrier layer may include at least one polyimide film
having a laminated aluminum foil and at least one polyimide film
having a vacuum-metlized aluminum. This configuration will be
understood by the foregoing description, so detailed description
will be omitted.
[0052] With the configuration, a vacuum insulation material, which
includes a wrapping member having excellent thermal endurance so as
to be usable at high temperature, can be applied to an insulation
structure of a refrigerator cabinet. Consequently, the refrigerator
cabinet can exhibit excellent insulation efficiency and reliable
insulation performance.
[0053] The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely
exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present
disclosure. The present teachings can be readily applied to other
types of apparatuses. This description is intended to be
illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many
alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and
other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein
may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or
alternative exemplary embodiments.
* * * * *