Connector assembly for vacuum insulated structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector assemblies for vacuum insulated structures lack an efficient and secure mechanism for coupling with materials dispensers, leading to inefficiencies in the fill process and potential spills of insulation materials.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly featuring a base plate with apertures for receiving projections from the structural wrapper, a fill tube aligned with the fill port, and a toggle magnet that magnetically engages the door, allowing secure coupling with a materials dispenser and guiding insulation materials into the insulating cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a connector assembly is used to couple the door with a materials dispenser, then the fill process efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is divided into separate functional components: a base plate for structural support and coupling, a fill tube for material transfer, and a toggle magnet for selective engagement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while simplifying manufacturing and assembly processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The fill tube is positioned within or adjacent to the base plate structure, and the toggle magnet is coupled to the base plate, creating a compact nested arrangement. This nesting reduces the overall space required for the connector assembly while maintaining all necessary functions.
2Reliability
If a toggle magnet is used to selectively couple the connector assembly to the structural wrapper, then the reliability of coupling is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The toggle magnet replaces traditional mechanical fastening systems (screws, clips, or latches) with a magnetic field-based coupling mechanism. This provides reliable selective engagement through magnetic attraction while eliminating complex mechanical fastening components, thereby reducing overall device complexity despite adding magnetic functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The toggle magnet provides self-aligning and self-latching capabilities through magnetic attraction. When the connector assembly approaches the structural wrapper, the magnetic field automatically guides and secures the coupling without requiring precise manual alignment or additional actuating mechanisms, improving reliability while maintaining simplicity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the fill tube is aligned with the fill port to guide insulation materials, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is designed with pre-established alignment features and positioning structures that guide the fill tube into correct alignment with the fill port during assembly. This preliminary positioning ensures precise alignment is achieved through the inherent geometry of the components rather than requiring complex adjustment mechanisms during operation.
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
The connector assembly enhances the fill process efficiency by providing a secure and spill-minimizing interface between the materials dispenser and the vacuum insulated structure, ensuring effective filling of insulation materials into the insulating cavity.
Implementation Method 1
The toggle magnet is configured to magnetically engage the door when in the activated state
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly includes a base plate that defines a fill opening and an aperture. A fill tube is coupled to a first side of the base plate. The fill tube is aligned with the fill opening. A radial flange is coupled to a second side of the base plate. The radial flange extends around the fill opening. A toggle magnet is coupled to the first side of the base plate proximate to the aperture. The toggle magnet is operable between an activated state and a deactivated state.