Vacuum Appliance Ladder Rack Support for Stable Sliding Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing appliance support assemblies lack efficient mechanisms for stabilizing storage features and ensuring optimal airflow and cooling performance within vacuum insulated appliances, particularly in configurations where storage features need to be easily accessible and securely positioned.
Innovation Solution
The support assembly includes a ladder rack with adapter members and cantilever supports that engage with locking members and spacers, allowing storage features to transition between stowed and deployed positions while maintaining stability and adjusting gaps for improved airflow, using a combination of mechanical fasteners and interference fits to secure components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If storage features are made easily accessible and removable, then ease of operation is improved, but stability and positioning accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly incorporates a dynamic positioning system where storage features can transition between fixed and movable states. The rail assembly with sliding mechanisms allows storage bins to be easily removed and repositioned, while the cantilever supports with adjustable positioning maintain stability when engaged. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction by providing ease of operation during removal/installation while ensuring stability during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The support assembly is divided into modular components: ladder racks, adapter members, cantilever supports, rail assemblies, and storage bins. Each segment can be independently adjusted or removed. The storage features are segmented from the main structure through the rail assembly interface, allowing easy accessibility while maintaining overall system stability through standardized connection points.
2Stability of the object's composition
If storage features are securely positioned and stabilized, then stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rail assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the storage features and the cantilever supports. It provides a guided path that ensures stable positioning when storage bins are engaged, while simultaneously allowing easy removal through the sliding mechanism. The adapter members serve as intermediaries between the ladder racks and cantilever supports, facilitating both stability and operational ease.
3Stability of the object's composition
If support structure is made complex to ensure stability, then stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly merges multiple functions into integrated components. The ladder racks combine structural support with mounting features for adapter members. The adapter members integrate connection mechanisms for both ladder racks and cantilever supports. The cantilever supports combine structural function with adjustable positioning capabilities. This merging reduces overall complexity while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support assembly employs universal components that perform multiple functions. The adapter members can engage with different ladder rack configurations. The rail assemblies provide both structural support and sliding mechanisms for storage bin accessibility. The cantilever supports offer both structural function and adjustable positioning. This multi-functionality reduces the number of specialized parts needed, simplifying the overall device complexity.
4Device complexity
If support structure is simplified to reduce complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly ensures continuous stability through interconnected components. The ladder racks provide continuous structural support along the appliance interior. The adapter members create continuous connection paths between ladder racks and cantilever supports. The rail assemblies provide continuous guidance for storage bin movement. This continuity maintains stability while using relatively simple, standardized components.
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum insulated appliance includes an outer wrapper and an inner liner. A ladder rack is coupled to the inner liner. The ladder rack includes first and second sidewalls coupled together by a connecting wall that defines a plurality of apertures. An adapter member includes a hook configured to extend through an aperture of the plurality of apertures when coupled to the ladder rack. The adapter member is coupled with a locking member that engages inner surface of first and second sidewalls of the ladder rack. A cantilever support is coupled to the adapter member and extends outward from the ladder rack. A rail assembly is coupled to an upper surface of the cantilever support. A spacer is coupled to an end of the cantilever support and abuts an inner liner surface. A storage feature is coupled to the rail assembly and is operable between stowed and deployed positions.