Appliance Mounting Bracket System to Preserve Vacuum Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bracket systems for mounting appliances to cabinet structures often compromise the vacuum insulation by requiring fasteners that pierce the appliance's outer wrapper, leading to loss of negative pressure and reduced insulation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A bracket system with a mounting bracket and trim member that are welded to the appliance's outer surface, using apertures and fasteners to secure the trim member to the cabinet structure, maintaining the vacuum insulation by avoiding punctures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If fasteners are used to mount the appliance to the cabinet structure, then the mounting security is improved, but the vacuum insulation is compromised due to pierces in the outer wrapper
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into two separate components: a mounting bracket that attaches to the appliance body, and a separate trim member that attaches to the cabinet structure. This segmentation allows the appliance wrapper to remain intact while still achieving secure mounting through the distributed attachment points of the bracket and trim member assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket and trim member act as intermediary elements between the appliance and the cabinet structure. Instead of directly fastening the appliance to the cabinet (which would require piercing the wrapper), the intermediaries provide the mounting function while preserving the integrity of the appliance's outer wrapper and vacuum insulation.
2Ease of manufacture
If the outer wrapper is pierced for fasteners, then the mounting is simplified, but the insulating properties are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting function is segmented into separate operations: first attaching the mounting bracket to the appliance body, then attaching the trim member to the cabinet structure. This eliminates the need to pierce the outer wrapper while maintaining mounting simplicity through the pre-configured aperture alignment between components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket and trim member are designed with pre-aligned apertures that correspond to each other, allowing for straightforward assembly. The bracket is first attached to the appliance, then the trim member is attached to the cabinet with the apertures already positioned to receive fasteners, simplifying the overall mounting process without compromising insulation.
3Reliability
If a bracket system is added to preserve vacuum insulation, then the insulation is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket and trim member are designed to work together as an integrated mounting system. The bracket combines the functions of appliance attachment and providing aligned apertures, while the trim member combines cabinet attachment with the complementary aperture structure. This merging of functions into coordinated components reduces the overall complexity compared to multiple separate mounting elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A bracket system for coupling an appliance to a cabinet structure includes a mounting bracket having an inner wall spaced-apart from an outer wall and a plurality of apertures is provided through the outer wall. The inner wall couples to the outer surface of the appliance in assembly. A trim member includes first and second mounting portions and an abutment portion inwardly offset from the first and second mounting portions. The first and second mounting portions each include a plurality of apertures disposed therethrough. An inner surface of the first mounting portion abuts the outer wall of the mounting bracket, such that the apertures disposed therebetween are aligned. The second mounting portion includes a plurality of apertures disposed therethrough, and an outer surface of the second mounting portion is configured to abut the inner surface of the cabinet compartment for mounting thereto.