U.S. patent application number 14/766318 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-31 for vacuum insulation body.
The applicant listed for this patent is LIEBHERR-HAUSGERATE LIENZ GMBH, LIEBHERR-HAUSGERATE OCHSENHAUSEN GMBH. Invention is credited to Michael Freitag, Jochen Hiemeyer, Martin Kerstner.
Application Number | 20150377545 14/766318 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49989674 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-31 |
![](/patent/app/20150377545/US20150377545A1-20151231-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20150377545/US20150377545A1-20151231-D00001.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20150377545 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Freitag; Michael ; et
al. |
December 31, 2015 |
VACUUM INSULATION BODY
Abstract
The present invention relates to a vacuum insulation body with a
vacuum-tight envelope, wherein through the region surrounded by the
envelope at least one lead-through extends, which surrounds a free
space, and/or wherein at least one port extends from the envelope.
According to the invention, the lead-through and/or the port
likewise is formed vacuum-tight and vacuum-tightly connected with
the envelope.
Inventors: |
Freitag; Michael; (Wurzburg,
DE) ; Kerstner; Martin; (Wurzburg, DE) ;
Hiemeyer; Jochen; (Karlstadt, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LIEBHERR-HAUSGERATE LIENZ GMBH
LIEBHERR-HAUSGERATE OCHSENHAUSEN GMBH |
Lienz
Ochsenhausen |
|
AT
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
49989674 |
Appl. No.: |
14/766318 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
January 17, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2014/000122 |
371 Date: |
August 6, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/447 ;
264/249 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 2201/14 20130101;
F25D 23/065 20130101; B29C 65/72 20130101; B29L 2031/265 20130101;
F25D 2400/40 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25D 23/06 20060101
F25D023/06; B29C 65/72 20060101 B29C065/72 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 7, 2013 |
DE |
10 2013 002 312.2 |
Claims
1-10. (canceled)
11. A refrigerator and/or freezer with at least one cooled interior
space and with at least one wall at least partly surrounding the
cooled interior space, which partly or completely is formed by at
least one vacuum insulation body with at least one vacuum-tight
envelope, wherein at least one lead-through extends through the
region surrounded by the envelope, which surrounds a free space,
and/or that at least one port extends from the envelope, the
lead-through and/or the port likewise is formed vacuum-tight and is
vacuum-tightly connected with the envelope, and the lead-through
and/or the port partly or completely is made of a high-barrier film
and that the vacuum-tight connection between the lead-through
and/or the port and the envelope is made by a thermal sealing
and/or by an adhesive connection.
12. The vacuum insulation body according to claim 11, wherein the
lead-through and/or the port is formed tubular.
13. The vacuum insulation body according to claim 11, wherein one
or more elements extend through the lead-through and are tightly
enclosed by the lead-through and/or are glued to the same or
otherwise connected with the same.
14. A method for making a vacuum-tight connection between the
lead-through and/or the port and the envelope of a vacuum
insulation body of a refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim
1 by using a molding compound, wherein the molding compound
comprises at least one clamp, and the clamp exerts a pressing force
on the envelope and on the lead-through and/or on the port, so that
the material of the envelope and the material of the lead-through
or the port are thermally sealed due to the pressing force.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the molding compound
includes at least two jaws movably arranged relative to each other,
between which the materials compressed and/or to be compressed are
accommodated, and it preferably is provided that the jaws are fixed
relative to each other, preferably by a latching connection.
16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the molding compound
includes at least one portion which forms the inner wall of an
aperture into the lead-through or into the envelope.
17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the molding compound
is made of metal, preferably of aluminum.
18. The vacuum insulation body according to claim 12, wherein one
or more elements extend through the lead-through and are tightly
enclosed by the lead-through and/or are glued to the same or
otherwise connected with the same.
19. A method for making a vacuum-tight connection between the
lead-through and/or the port and the envelope of a vacuum
insulation body of a refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim
18 by using a molding compound, wherein the molding compound
comprises at least one clamp, and the clamp exerts a pressing force
on the envelope and on the lead-through and/or on the port, so that
the material of the envelope and the material of the lead-through
or the port are thermally sealed due to the pressing force.
20. A method for making a vacuum-tight connection between the
lead-through and/or the port and the envelope of a vacuum
insulation body of a refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim
13 by using a molding compound, wherein the molding compound
comprises at least one damp, and the damp exerts a pressing force
on the envelope and on the lead through and/or on the port, so that
the material of the envelope and the material of the lead-through
or the port are thermally sealed due to the pressing force.
21. A method for making a vacuum-tight connection between the
lead-through and/or the port and the envelope of a vacuum
insulation body of a refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim
12 by using a molding compound, wherein the molding compound
comprises at least one clamp, and the clamp exerts a pressing force
on the envelope and on the lead-through and/or on the port, so that
the material of the envelope and the material of the lead-through
or the port are thermally sealed due to the pressing force.
22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the molding compound
includes at least two jaws movably arranged relative to each other,
between which the materials compressed and/or to be compressed are
accommodated, and it preferably is provided that the jaws are fixed
relative to each other, preferably by a latching connection.
23. The method according to claim 20, wherein the molding compound
includes at least two jaws movably arranged relative to each other,
between which the materials compressed and/or to be compressed are
accommodated, and it preferably is provided that the jaws are fixed
relative to each other, preferably by a latching connection.
24. The method according to claim 19, wherein the molding compound
includes at least two jaws movably arranged relative to each other,
between which the materials compressed and/or to be compressed are
accommodated, and it preferably is provided that the jaws are fixed
relative to each other, preferably by a latching connection.
25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the molding compound
includes at least one portion which forms the inner wall of an
aperture into the lead-through or into the envelope.
26. The method according to claim 23, wherein the molding compound
includes at least one portion which forms the inner wall of an
aperture into the lead-through or into the envelope.
27. The method according to claim 22, wherein the molding compound
includes at least one portion which forms the inner wall of an
aperture into the lead-through or into the envelope.
28. The method according to claim 21, wherein the molding compound
includes at least one portion which forms the inner wall of an
aperture into the lead-through or into the envelope.
29. The method according to claim 20, wherein the molding compound
includes at least one portion which forms the inner wall of an
aperture into the lead-through or into the envelope.
30. The method according to claim 19, wherein the molding compound
includes at least one portion which forms the inner wail of an
aperture into the lead-through or into the envelope.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum insulation body
with a vacuum-tight envelope.
[0002] From the prior art it is known that for example in
refrigerators and/or freezers the wall which surrounds the cooled
interior space is formed as vacuum insulation body. Such insulation
body usually consists of an envelope, which must be designed
diffusion-tight, and a supporting material, such as a bulk
material, which provides the vacuum insulation body with the
required mechanical stability.
[0003] This vacuum insulation body can completely surround the
cooled interior space, apart from its open side to be closed by a
door or the like, so that the problem arises that lines required
for operation of the appliance, such as refrigerant lines or
electric lines which must be guided to the inner container,
possibly must be introduced into the interior space past the vacuum
insulation body, which involves certain disadvantages. Apart from
this, a reliable possibility for evacuating the vacuum insulation
body during the manufacture of the appliance must be created.
[0004] Therefore, it is the object underlying the present invention
to develop a vacuum insulation body as mentioned above to the
effect that installing lines, tubes and the like and/or generating
a vacuum in the vacuum insulation body is possible easily and
reliably.
[0005] This object is solved by a vacuum insulation body with the
features of claim 1.
[0006] Accordingly, it is provided that through the region
surrounded by the envelope at least one lead-through extends, which
surrounds a free space. Alternatively or in addition, it can be
provided that at least one port extends from the envelope, which is
arranged on the envelope such that the same can be evacuated. The
lead-through or the port likewise are formed vacuum-tight and are
vacuum-tightly connected with the envelope.
[0007] Thus, it is the idea underlying the design of the vacuum
insulation body according to the invention to manufacture at least
one aperture through the envelope of the vacuum insulation body
itself, so that a cable or tube or the like can be guided from one
side of the envelope to the other side of the envelope, without the
useful life of the envelope being impaired.
[0008] This aperture or lead-through in turn is designed
vacuum-tight and likewise vacuum-tightly connected with the
envelope of the vacuum insulation body. Thus, it is possible to
design the vacuum-tight envelope with a long useful life despite
the lead-through or the port, as in the region of the lead-through
or the port an ingress or air or gas is prevented.
[0009] The invention is not limited to such lead-through, but also
covers a port which likewise is connected with the envelope in a
vacuum-tight or diffusion-tight manner and through which air can be
withdrawn from the envelope for the purpose of generating a
vacuum.
[0010] This port in turn also is formed vacuum-tight.
[0011] What can be considered, for example, is the use of a film,
preferably a high-barrier film, for the envelope and/or for the
lead-through and/or for said port.
[0012] The use of a film has the advantage that the lead-through or
the port are designed flexible, so that adaptations to the
positioning of the elements to be led through, such as for example
cables, tubes, etc., possibly can be made.
[0013] Preferably, it is provided that the lead-through and/or the
port are formed tubular.
[0014] The lead-through and/or the port partly or completely can be
made of a high-barrier film. This can apply correspondingly for the
vacuum-tight envelope. What is conceivable is a metal-coated
plastic film.
[0015] Preferably, it is provided that the lead-through and/or the
port are made of a material which can be sealed thermally, namely
such that after thermal sealing a vacuum-tight connection with the
envelope is present.
[0016] Such thermal sealing also can be considered, for example,
when after the evacuation operation the port is to be sealed, so
that the vacuum in the envelope is preserved.
[0017] When the port is to be reused again, the sealed portion can
be cut off and an evacuation operation can be performed again, in
case this is necessary.
[0018] Instead or in addition to thermal sealings an adhesive
connection also is conceivable and comprised by the invention.
[0019] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention it is
provided that the vacuum-tight connection between the lead-through
and/or the port and the envelope is made by thermal sealing, as
stated above. It is conceivable to produce this thermal sealing by
applying a pressing force which is produced by a molding compound
in the form of a clamp, which will yet be described in detail
below.
[0020] Instead or in addition to thermal sealing an adhesive bond
also is conceivable, as stated above.
[0021] As explained above, the lead-through and/or the port and/or
the envelope can be made of a film. What is useful, for example, is
a metal-coated film, in particular plastic film, such as e.g. an
aluminum-coated PE film.
[0022] In a further aspect of the invention it is provided that one
or more elements extend through the lead-through and are tightly
enclosed by the lead-through. For example, this can be achieved in
that the lead-through is sucked against these elements, so that the
same tightly fits correspondingly. Alternatively or in addition it
is conceivable that the lead-through is glued or in some other way
connected to the elements led through.
[0023] These measures for attaching the lead-through preferably are
carried out before generating the vacuum in the envelope.
[0024] The present invention furthermore relates to a refrigerator
and/or freezer with at least one cooled interior space and with at
least one wall at least partly surrounding the cooled interior
space, wherein the wall partly or completely is formed by at least
one vacuum insulation body according to any of claims 1 to 5. The
vacuum insulation body thus partly or completely forms the
appliance body.
[0025] The invention furthermore relates to a molding compound for
producing a vacuum-tight connection between the lead-through and/or
the port and the envelope of a vacuum insulation body according to
any of claims 1 to 5, comprising at least one clamp, wherein the
clamp is arranged such that it exerts a pressing force on the
envelope and on the lead-through and/or on the port, so that the
material of the envelope and the material of the lead-through or
the port is thermally sealed due to the pressing force.
[0026] Due to its pressing force exerted on the material structure,
this molding compound effects a thermal sealing of the materials,
preferably of the film compound or film structure, and in addition
allows a relief of tension at the final appliance, such as at the
refrigerator and/or freezer. Thermal sealing represents a
vacuum-tight connection between the two connected films.
[0027] Furthermore, it can be provided that the molding compound
includes at least two jaws movable relative to each other, between
which the materials to be compressed or the compressed materials
are accommodated.
[0028] It can preferably be provided that the jaws can be fixed
relative to each other preferably by a latching connection.
[0029] It is conceivable to press the two jaws together, wherein
the pressing position is held for example by a latching connection.
The pressing force can be produced for example pneumatically,
hydraulically or also mechanically, e.g. by a screw connection.
[0030] In a further aspect of the invention it is provided that the
molding compound includes at least one portion which forms the
inner wall of an aperture into the lead-through or into the
envelope. It is conceivable, for example, that the molding compound
includes a tubular portion which forms the inner walls of an
aperture which leads into the lead-through from outside or from the
port into the envelope. Proceeding from this tubular portion, said
jaws form flange-like portions which are formed all around.
[0031] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the molding compound is
made of metal and preferably of aluminum.
[0032] Further details and advantages of the invention will be
explained in detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment
illustrated in the drawing, in which:
[0033] FIG. 1: shows a schematic view of a part of an envelope of a
vacuum insulation body according to the present invention with an
inner container,
[0034] FIG. 2: shows a schematic view of a further part of the
envelope of a vacuum insulation body with an outer container with
an evacuation port, and
[0035] FIG. 3: shows sectional representations through the
connecting region between the envelope and the lead-through as well
as between the envelope and the evacuation port.
[0036] FIG. 1 shows a high-barrier film with the reference numeral
10, which for the purpose of manufacturing a refrigerator and/or
freezer is put over an inner container 20 of a refrigerator and/or
freezer and thus apart from the open side of the inner container
forms its outer envelope. The vacuum-tight high-barrier film 10
provides for generating a vacuum between the film 10 and the outer
skin 50 of the appliance or its lining 60, which is schematically
shown in FIG. 2.
[0037] Reference numeral 30 designates electric lines or conduits
of the refrigeration system, i.e. of the refrigerant circuit of the
refrigerator and/or freezer. These lines 30 extend from and to the
inner container 20 or components arranged thereon or still to be
arranged thereon in the course of the production process, such as
e.g. interior lights, a temperature sensor, an evaporator, etc.
[0038] Reference numeral 40 designates the lead-through according
to the invention. The same is fixed at the high-barrier film 10 in
a vacuum-tight manner and, like the envelope 10, consists of a
vacuum-tight high-barrier film.
[0039] During the manufacturing process, this tubular lead-through
40 is vacuum-tightly connected first to the envelope 10 of the
inner container 40 and later on to the lining 60 of the outer
housing 50.
[0040] FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of the inner container 20
covered with the film 10 and the outer container 50 on whose inside
a high-barrier film 60 is disposed as well. Apart from its open
side, through which the inner container 20 is introduced, the outer
container 50 thus is lined with a high-barrier film 60.
[0041] The vacuum insulation body thus comprises the inner
container 20 with envelope 10 as well as the outer container 50
with lining 60. The envelope 10 and the lining 60 form the
vacuum-tight envelope.
[0042] Reference numeral 70 designates an evacuation port, whose
function will be explained in detail below.
[0043] The inner container 20 and/or the outer container 50 can be
made of plastics, metal or of any other suitable material.
[0044] At this point it should be noted that the terms "inner
container" and "outer container" are to be understood in a general
sense and can represent structures open on one or also on several
sides or also closed structures. Furthermore, it should be noted
that the exemplary embodiment referring to a refrigerator and/or
freezer also is applicable for all other vacuum insulation
bodies.
[0045] The lead-through 40 also is vacuum-tightly connected with
the lining 60 of the outer container 50. This design provides for
evacuating the region between the high-barrier films 10, 60 and in
this way manufacturing the vacuum insulation body according to the
invention. An entry of gas or air into this region is prevented by
the vacuum-tight connections between the lead-through 40 and the
film 10 as well as between the lead-through 40 and the film 60 and
by the fact that the lead-through 40 itself likewise is made of a
high-barrier film.
[0046] In the exemplary embodiment shown here a bulk material, for
example a pearlite powder, is introduced into the region between
the envelope 10 of the inner container and the film 60 of the outer
housing 50, subsequently the envelope 10 is closed with the lining
60 in a vacuum-tight manner, and finally an evacuation of the
region in which the bulk material is disposed is performed via the
evacuation port 70. The evacuation port 70 thus is open towards
said region, so that the generation of vacuum can be effected via
the same.
[0047] The evacuation port 70 likewise consists of a high-barrier
film and is vacuum-tightly connected with the lining or
high-barrier film 60 of the outer container 50.
[0048] The envelope 10 of the inner container 20 and the lining 60
of the outer housing 50 form the envelope according to the
invention, which is penetrated by the lead-through 40 and to which
the port 70 is connected.
[0049] The fixation or vacuum-tight connection between the
lead-through 40 and the envelope 10, 60 of the vacuum insulation
body as well as the vacuum-tight connection between the port 70 and
the lining 60 is effected by means of a clamp 200 as shown in FIG.
3.
[0050] FIG. 3a) shows the connection of the lead-through 40 to the
lining 60 of the outer container 50, which is identical to the
connection of the lead-through 40 to the envelope 10 of the inner
container 20.
[0051] FIG. 3b) shows the connection of the port 70 to the lining
60 of the outer container 50.
[0052] As can be taken from FIG. 3, the clamp consists of a first
part 210 and a second part 220, which each include a
circumferential jaw. As can be taken from FIG. 3, the two jaws
define a space between themselves, in which the individual films to
be connected are arranged, which form the lead-through 40, the port
70, the envelope 10 and the lining 60.
[0053] By applying a pressing force between the jaws, i.e. by
pressing the jaws together, a thermal sealing of the two films to
be connected occurs, which in the exemplary embodiment shown here
each consist of a polyethylene layer 300 and an aluminum layer 310
as barrier film. The region of the thermal sealing in FIG. 3 each
is designated with the reference numeral V. The pressing force for
example can be achieved by a screw connection which presses the
jaws against each other.
[0054] The latching elements R on both parts 210 and 220 of the
clamp serve the fixation of the position of the parts 210, 220
relative to each other.
[0055] The reference numeral 50 designates the envelope of the
vacuum insulation body, such as for example sheet metal in the case
of the outer shell 50 or also plastic material 20 in the case of
the inner container.
[0056] The clamp 200 encompasses both this envelope 20, 50 and the
two film portions to be connected with each other, so that in the
case according to FIG. 3a) a vacuum-tight connection between the
lead-through 40 and the film 60 of the envelope is achieved. The
clamp 200 is guided through the aperture D in the outer skin
50.
[0057] The exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3b) shows the
connection between the evacuation port 70 and the lining 60,
wherein as shown in FIG. 3b) the film of the evacuation port 70 is
guided through the aperture D of the envelope 50 and is tucked in
on the inside of the envelope 50.
[0058] In this case, too, a vacuum-tight connection between the
lining 60 and the port 70 is obtained by thermal sealing, so that
by applying a negative pressure by means of the port 70 an
evacuation of the region between the films 10 and 60 of the vacuum
insulation body can be achieved.
[0059] Reference numeral 100 designates a counterpressure mat whose
function it is to form and to hold an abutment for the pressing
force applied by the clamp. The counterpressure mat is located
between the outer shell 50 and one of the films or between the
inner container 20 and one of the films.
[0060] As can be taken from FIG. 3, the clamp reaches through an
aperture D in the envelope 50 and in the inner container 20. After
connecting the films, the clamp can be removed or also be removed
as tension relief.
[0061] The clamp preferably is made of metal and particularly
preferably of aluminum.
* * * * *