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 integrity.
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 utilizing apertures and channels for precise alignment and attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing bracket systems are used to mount appliances to cabinet structures, then mounting functionality is achieved, but the vacuum seal and insulation integrity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate components: a bracket with mounting apertures for attaching to the cabinet structure, and a separate fastening mechanism that connects the appliance to the bracket without piercing the external wrapper. This segmentation allows the mounting function to be achieved while preserving the integrity of the vacuum-insulated cabinet structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket system acts as an intermediary between the cabinet structure and the appliance. It provides a mounting interface that does not require direct penetration of the external wrapper, thereby maintaining the vacuum seal while enabling secure appliance attachment through its channel and aperture structure.
2Ease of operation
If apertures are provided through the external wrapper for mounting, then appliance attachment is simplified, but the vacuum seal is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting apertures are extracted from the external wrapper and relocated to the bracket structure. The bracket contains the mounting apertures and channels, allowing fastening operations to occur outside the vacuum-insulated envelope, thus simplifying appliance attachment without compromising the vacuum seal of the cabinet structure.
3Strength
If the external wrapper is pierced for fastening, then secure mounting is achieved, but insulation integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening mechanism operates in a different dimensional space - within the channel of the bracket rather than through the external wrapper. The channel provides a protected pathway for fasteners to engage the appliance securely while remaining confined to the bracket structure, thereby achieving strong mounting without compromising the insulation integrity of the cabinet.
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.