Standoff feature for appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing appliance assemblies face challenges with gaseous bubble entrainment and thermal conduction due to sharp angles and interfaces between panels, leading to stress points and reduced airtightness.
Innovation Solution
A standoff feature with a base, horizontal flanges, and vertical tapered projections is integrated into the appliance's channel to form smooth surfaces, reducing gaseous bubble entrainment and thermal conduction by minimizing sharp angles and promoting a seamless interface between panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If panels are adhered or fastened together using conventional methods with sharp angles and 90° contacts, then the appliance structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but gaseous bubble entrainment occurs and airtight sealing is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The standoff feature incorporates curved surfaces and tapered projections instead of sharp angles and 90° contacts. The base has a curved bottom surface, the side members have tapered projections with curved surfaces, and the flanges have rounded edges. This curvature eliminates sharp corners where bubbles would form during adhesive application, ensuring smooth adhesive flow and complete void-free bonding between panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The standoff feature acts as an intermediary component between panels that need to be bonded. It provides a mediating structure with curved surfaces that facilitates proper adhesive application and flow, preventing direct sharp-angle contact between panels while still achieving the required mechanical connection and sealing.
2Reliability
If conventional panel assembly methods are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but stress locations and thermal conduction issues arise in vacuum-insulated appliances
Solution Approach 1:
The curved surfaces and tapered projections of the standoff feature distribute stress evenly across the bonding interface, eliminating stress concentrations that would occur at sharp angles and 90° contacts. The rounded geometry prevents stress localization, improving the reliability of vacuum-insulated appliance panels under thermal and mechanical loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The standoff feature serves as a stress-distributing intermediary between panels, preventing direct rigid contact that would create stress concentrations. It mediates the mechanical connection while distributing loads evenly across the bonding surface, reducing thermal conduction paths and improving insulation performance.
3Reliability
If sharp angles and 90° contacts are used between components, then the structure is simpler and manufacturing is easier, but gaseous bubble formation occurs during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The standoff feature is designed with entirely curved surfaces including a curved bottom surface of the base, tapered projections with curved surfaces, and rounded flange edges. This eliminates all sharp angles and 90° contacts that would trap air bubbles during adhesive application, ensuring smooth adhesive flow and complete wetting of bonding surfaces without void formation.
Data Source
AI summary
A standoff feature for an appliance includes a connecting member having a first end and a second end. A first side member extends in a first direction from the first end of the connecting member. A second side member is spaced from the first side member. The second side member extends in the first direction from the second end of the connecting member. A first flange extends from a first side edge of the connecting member. The first side edge extends between the first end and the second end. The first flange extends in a second direction from the connecting member. A second flange extends from a second side edge of the connecting member. The second side edge extends between the first end and the second end and opposes the first side edge. The second flange extends in the second direction from the connecting member.