Support assembly for appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing appliance support assemblies lack efficient mechanisms for stabilizing storage features and maintaining airflow within vacuum insulated appliances, leading to instability and reduced cooling performance.
Innovation Solution
A support assembly comprising a ladder rack with adapter members, cantilever supports, rail assemblies, and spacers that engage with the inner liner, allowing storage features to transition between stowed and deployed positions while maintaining stability and airflow through adjustable spacers and interference fits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a support assembly is added to stabilize storage features, then stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly is divided into multiple discrete components including ladder racks coupled to the inner liner, adapter members that interface with the ladder racks, and cantilever supports that extend from the adapter members. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while collectively providing stable support for storage features, thereby achieving stability without excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ladder racks serve multiple functions: they are coupled to the inner liner to provide structural attachment points, they support the adapter members which in turn support the cantilever supports, and they help maintain the overall structural integrity of the storage system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, balancing stability with complexity.
2Temperature
If spacers are used to maintain airflow gaps, then cooling performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spacers are designed to automatically maintain the required gaps between the cantilever supports and the inner liner without requiring external adjustment mechanisms. The spacers self-position and self-adjust to maintain optimal airflow channels, ensuring consistent cooling performance while avoiding the complexity of adjustable or motorized gap control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacers are designed with specific dimensions and geometries that optimize the gap size for airflow. By carefully controlling the spacer parameters (length, shape, material properties), the system achieves optimal cooling performance through passive geometric design rather than active control, thereby improving temperature management without adding operational complexity.
3Reliability
If locking members are used to secure adapter members, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking members are designed to transition between locked and unlocked states, providing dynamic security rather than permanent fixation. This allows the adapter members to be securely locked during operation for reliability, while enabling easy assembly and disassembly when needed by simply releasing the locking mechanism, thus balancing reliability with operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking members act as intermediary elements between the adapter members and the ladder racks, providing a simple mechanical interface that secures the connection without requiring complex fastening procedures. This intermediary locking mechanism achieves reliable attachment while maintaining ease of operation through its straightforward engage/disengage design.
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.