Bracket system for mounting an appliance to a cabinet structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bracket systems for mounting appliances to cabinet structures lack efficient and secure methods to align and fasten appliances within vacuum-insulated cabinet structures, potentially compromising the vacuum seal and insulation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A bracket system comprising a mounting bracket with spaced-apart inner and outer walls, interconnected by sidewalls, and a trim member with aligned apertures, allowing for secure fastening without piercing the external wrapper, thus maintaining the vacuum seal and insulation integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bracket systems are used to mount appliances to cabinet structures, then secure fastening is achieved, but the vacuum seal and insulation efficiency are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket system is divided into separate components: a mounting bracket that attaches to the cabinet structure and a trim member that attaches to the appliance. These segments connect through aligned apertures without requiring penetration of the appliance's external wrapper, thus maintaining the vacuum seal while achieving secure mounting through distributed fastening points
Solution Approach 2:
The trim member acts as an intermediary element between the mounting bracket and the appliance. It provides a mounting interface that does not require piercing the appliance's external wrapper, allowing fasteners to secure the appliance to the cabinet structure through the trim member and mounting bracket assembly without compromising the vacuum seal
2Strength
If fasteners are used to secure appliances to cabinet structures, then mounting strength is improved, but the vacuum seal integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening function is segmented from the appliance's external wrapper. Fasteners engage with the mounting bracket and trim member components rather than piercing the appliance's vacuum-sealed enclosure, distributing the mounting strength across structural components that do not compromise the vacuum seal integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The trim member serves as a mediator that transfers mounting loads away from the appliance's external wrapper. It provides attachment points for fasteners while the appliance connects to this intermediary rather than having fasteners penetrate its vacuum-sealed surface, thus maintaining seal integrity while achieving mounting strength
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.