Ladder Rack Mounting Bracket for Vacuum-Insulated Appliance Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing appliance mounting systems face challenges in securely fastening ladder racks to mounting brackets within vacuum insulated appliances without compromising the vacuum seal, particularly in providing a reliable and cost-effective assembly method that maintains structural integrity and allows for easy servicing.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a mounting assembly with a self-clinching nut and coupling members that create an interference fit with the ladder rack, utilizing distal arms and coupling members that flare outward and inward to secure the ladder rack to the mounting bracket, along with a snap-fit connection that aligns the ladder rack over the mounting brackets, allowing for mechanical fastening without compromising the vacuum seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional fastening methods are used to secure the ladder rack to the mounting bracket, then the structural integrity is improved, but the vacuum seal is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket acts as an intermediary component between the ladder rack and the appliance interior, providing a secure attachment mechanism that does not require penetrating the vacuum seal. The bracket includes a mounting plate that attaches to the interior surface and a mounting arm that secures the ladder rack, creating a mechanical connection without compromising the vacuum barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening system is segmented into separate components: the mounting bracket with its mounting plate and mounting arm, the ladder rack with its engagement features, and the fasteners. This segmentation allows the vacuum seal to remain intact while providing multiple points of attachment for secure fastening through the mounting bracket structure.
2Reliability
If multiple fastening components are used to secure the ladder rack, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: it provides structural support, creates the attachment interface for the ladder rack, and serves as the mounting structure for fasteners. The mounting plate and mounting arm are formed as integral parts of the bracket, reducing the total number of separate components while maintaining reliable fastening capability.
3Strength
If a secure fastening method is used to maintain structural integrity, then the strength is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is pre-formed with integrated mounting features including the mounting plate with attachment openings and the mounting arm with engagement features. The distal arms are pre-configured with curvature and thickness variations to provide inherent engagement characteristics. This preliminary formation of fastening features simplifies the final assembly process while maintaining strong mechanical connections.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides a secure, cost-effective, and efficient method to fasten the ladder rack to the mounting bracket while maintaining the vacuum integrity of the appliance, allowing for easy assembly and servicing, and reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for additional fastening components.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second sides define protrusions that engage the pair of coupling members in an interference fit
Data Source
AI summary
An appliance mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket with first and second distal arms that flare outward in opposing directions from an attachment body and couple to a panel. The mounting bracket includes a pair of coupling members that extend from the attachment body toward the panel surface and distal ends that curve inward toward one another. A self-clinching nut has an undercut, serrated clinching ring, and base. The undercut and the serrated clinching ring are disposed within an aperture defined by the attachment body. A ladder rack has first and second sides coupled via an attachment wall. The first and second sides define protrusions that engage the pair of coupling members in an interference fit. The attachment wall defines a receiving hole that aligns with the aperture. A threaded fastener extends through the receiving hole and engages the self-clinching nut to fasten the ladder rack to the mounting bracket.