Storage assembly for an appliance
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage assemblies for appliances, particularly those with vacuum insulated doors, lack effective and stable configurations for securing bins, leading to potential rattling and misalignment issues.
Innovation Solution
A storage assembly for appliances featuring a bracket with a groove and rim configuration that secures a bin to the door via a retention feature, utilizing a support member with segments that engage notches and protrusions to stabilize the bin, minimizing lateral movement and enhancing stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bin is attached to a vacuum insulated door using conventional methods, then the storage function is provided, but the bin may rattle and become misaligned due to insufficient securing
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is divided into multiple segments: a main body portion, a support member with first and second segments, and a rim with corresponding segments. Each segment serves a specific function in securing the bin, with grooves and engagement features distributed throughout the structure to provide multi-point attachment and stabilization
Solution Approach 2:
The rim is positioned within the groove of the support member, creating a nested relationship where the rim engages with the groove to secure the bin. The engagement features are nested within the bracket structure, with the rim fitting into the groove space to provide a secure fit
2Reliability
If the bin is securely attached to prevent rattling, then stability is improved, but the bin becomes difficult to remove and exchange
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system provides dynamic characteristics by allowing the bin to be easily inserted and removed while maintaining secure attachment during use. The engagement features are designed to snap into place during installation but can be easily disengaged when needed, transitioning between a secure fixed state and an easily removable state
3Device complexity
If the bin attachment structure is simplified, then device complexity is reduced, but the bin may experience lateral movement and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the bracket have different structural qualities optimized for their specific functions. The support member has grooves for engagement, the rim has corresponding engagement features, and specific segments have enhanced structural properties to prevent lateral movement while maintaining overall structural efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket structure utilizes three-dimensional spatial relationships with the rim positioned within the groove, creating vertical and horizontal constraints. The engagement features extend in multiple dimensions to prevent lateral movement while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Data Source
AI summary
A door assembly for an appliance includes a wrapper operably coupled with a liner to define an insulation cavity therebetween. An attachment assembly operably couples to the liner and defines a slot. A storage assembly couples with the attachment assembly. The storage assembly includes a bin. The storage assembly further includes a bracket operably coupling the bin to the attachment assembly via a retention feature. The bracket includes a support member defining a groove extending between ends of the bracket. The storage assembly further includes a rim extending from the bin and engaging the groove to secure the bin to the bracket.