Support Assembly for Vacuum Insulated Structure to Reduce Load Strain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulated structures for appliances face challenges in effectively distributing and managing the load of machine components within a vacuum insulated compartment, which can lead to strain on the structure and potential outgassing due to inadequate support mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A support assembly comprising a base plate with attachment flanges and base rails that distribute the load of machine components, including a machine plate and a front plate, which are coupled via fasteners and attachment flanges to minimize strain on the vacuum insulated structure, while maintaining the vacuum integrity by avoiding direct penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If machine components are directly mounted on the vacuum insulated structure, then the structure provides adequate support, but it causes strain concentration and potential outgassing due to direct penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces base rails as intermediary components between the machine components and the vacuum insulated structure. These rails distribute the load across multiple attachment flanges without requiring direct penetration of the vacuum barrier, thus maintaining vacuum integrity while providing adequate support. The mounting plate serves as another intermediary layer that spreads the mechanical stress across a larger area.
2Ease of manufacture
If load is concentrated at single mounting points, then attachment is simplified, but strain on the vacuum insulated structure increases leading to potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mounting system into multiple components: base rails with multiple attachment flanges, mounting plates, and distributed fastening points. This segmentation allows the load to be distributed across numerous attachment points rather than concentrated at single points, reducing strain on the vacuum insulated structure while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular assembly.
3Strength
If attachment flanges penetrate the vacuum insulated structure, then secure mounting is achieved, but vacuum integrity is compromised due to outgassing
Solution Approach 1:
The base rails act as intermediaries that provide secure mounting functionality without penetrating the vacuum insulated structure. The attachment flanges are positioned on the exterior surface, allowing secure fastening of machine components while the vacuum barrier remains intact. This mediator approach decouples the mounting function from the vacuum seal function.
4Reliability
If support structure is added to distribute load, then vacuum integrity is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base rails serve multiple functions simultaneously: they distribute mechanical loads, provide attachment points for machine components, maintain spacing from the vacuum insulated structure, and prevent strain concentration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving load distribution and vacuum integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A support assembly for a vacuum insulated structure includes a base plate that has a perimeter support surface and centrally defines an aperture. The base plate includes fasteners that extend outwardly from the base plate. Base rails each include a support body that has a first attachment flange, a second attachment flange, and a mounting wall that is operably coupled to the support body. The first attachment flange and the second attachment flange operably couple each of the base rails to the base plate. A front plate is operably coupled to the mounting wall of each of the base rails. A machine plate is operably coupled to each of the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange of each of the base rails proximate to the base plate.