Appliance Door Cosmetic Panel Bracket for 3D Cabinet Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cosmetic panels for built-in appliances often fail to align perfectly with surrounding cabinetry, leading to an unsightly appearance due to misalignment of trim pieces and fine details, which is aesthetically undesirable as users frequently view the appliances.

Innovation Solution

A suspension and adjustment system comprising side adjusters attached to the perimetrical flange of an appliance door panel, with adjustment brackets that allow for precise sliding engagement and three-dimensional movement, enabling the cosmetic panel to be aligned with surrounding cabinets through vertical, fore-aft, and rotational adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a cosmetic panel is rigidly fixed to the appliance door, then manufacturing and installation are simplified, but alignment precision with surrounding cabinetry deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidsuspension system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Dynamics principle by transforming the rigid fixed connection into a dynamic adjustable connection. The adjustment brackets are designed to slide along the perimetrical flange, allowing the cosmetic panel to be positioned at different locations. This dynamic adjustment mechanism enables precise alignment with surrounding cabinetry while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the Segmentation principle by dividing the connection system into separate functional components: adjustment brackets, side adjusters, and the cosmetic panel. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the brackets provide positioning, the adjusters enable fine-tuning, and the panel displays the cosmetic function. This modular approach achieves precise alignment without requiring a completely complex integrated system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If adjustment mechanisms are added to achieve precise alignment, then alignment precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanel alignment precisionVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Universality principle by designing adjustment brackets that serve multiple functions: they attach the cosmetic panel to the door, enable sliding adjustment along the flange, provide positioning through apertures, and allow fine-tuning via side adjusters. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each adjustment task, thereby achieving precise alignment without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the Nested doll principle by nesting the side adjusters within the adjustment bracket structure. The side adjusters are positioned to engage with the bracket's apertures, creating a compact nested arrangement. This nesting allows the fine-adjustment mechanism to be integrated within the existing bracket design rather than adding a separate external adjustment system, thus minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple adjustment parameters are provided, then alignment versatility improves, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment versatilityVSAvoidadjustment operation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Preliminary action principle by pre-configuring the adjustment brackets with multiple apertures at predetermined positions along the perimetrical flange. These apertures are positioned to correspond with typical alignment requirements for different cabinet configurations. This preliminary arrangement allows installers to quickly select the appropriate aperture without complex calculations or measurements, maintaining ease of operation while providing alignment versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the Self-service principle through the side adjusters, which are designed to be easily manipulated by the installer without requiring special tools or complex procedures. The adjusters can be directly engaged with the bracket apertures and secured through simple operations. This self-service design allows the installer to independently perform fine-tuning adjustments, making the system easy to operate despite providing multiple adjustment parameters for versatile alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10165860B2Cosmetic door panel suspension and adjustment system for a built-in appliance
Publication Date: 2019.01.01 WHIRLPOOL CORP
  • US10165860B2 patent drawing
  • US10165860B2 patent drawing
  • US10165860B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A cosmetic panel suspension system for an appliance includes an outer door panel having a perimetrical flange. A plurality of side adjusters is attached to the perimetrical flange. At least one adjustment bracket has a plurality of positioning apertures in slidable engagement with a portion of the perimetrical flange. The plurality of side adjusters extends through respective positioning apertures defined within the at least one adjustment bracket, and adjustment of at least one side adjuster of the plurality of side adjusters slides the at least one adjustment bracket relative to the perimetrical flange. A cosmetic panel is attached to the at least one adjustment bracket.