Vacuum-Insulated Appliance Mounting Plate for Secure Interior Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for attaching holders to vacuum insulated structures, such as refrigerators, often compromise the vacuum insulation by requiring perforation or drilling into foam insulation, and lack a flat surface for item storage due to the absence of a substantially flat floor in these structures.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum insulated mounting system that includes a support member with apertures coupled to the interior surface, allowing for the attachment of a panel with protrusions that correspond to these apertures, maintaining the vacuum while enabling the securement of holders and items without compromising the insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional mounting methods (drilling into foam or perforating vacuum insulated structure) are used to attach holders, then holders can be securely mounted, but the vacuum insulation is compromised and insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A separate mounting plate is introduced as an intermediary component that attaches to the vacuum insulated structure without drilling or perforation. The mounting plate provides secure attachment points for holders while the vacuum insulated structure remains intact, resolving the contradiction between mounting strength and insulation integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is segmented into separate components: the vacuum insulated structure, a mounting plate, and holders. This segmentation allows the mounting function to be separated from the insulation structure, enabling secure holder attachment without compromising the vacuum insulation
2Loss of energy
If vacuum insulated structure is used for energy efficiency, then energy loss is reduced, but the structure lacks a flat floor surface for stable item storage
Solution Approach 1:
The flat storage surface is created by adding a separate mounting plate dimension, rather than modifying the vacuum insulated structure itself. This allows items to be stored on a flat surface while the vacuum insulation remains intact in its original form
3Quantity of substance
If items with irregular bottoms are stored directly on vacuum insulated structure floor, then storage capacity is maximized, but items cannot be properly supported due to lack of flat surface
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate serves as an intermediary between items with irregular bottoms and the vacuum insulated structure. It provides a flat support surface for stable item placement while allowing the vacuum insulated structure to maintain its original form and storage capacity
Data Source
AI summary
An appliance mounting device is provided herein. The appliance includes a vacuum insulated structure having a liner positioned within a wrapper, wherein the liner and wrapper cooperate to define an interior cavity. The appliance further includes an insulating material positioned within the interior cavity and a hanger coupled to an adapter plate and a support member. The support member is configured to couple to an interior surface of the vacuum insulated structure while maintaining a vacuum in the interior cavity and a holding member is coupled to a first side of the adapter plate and configured to receive a positioning member.