Structural panel for an appliance having stamped components and method therefor

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11065842-B2
Application number	US-201616308979-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 28, 2016
Priority date	Sep 28, 2016
Publication date	Jul 20, 2021
Grant date	Jul 20, 2021

Abstract

An operable panel for an appliance includes a metallic outer wrapper having a perimetrical wrapper edge that partially defines a perimetrical breaker channel, an inner liner and a plurality of corner brackets disposed proximate the perimetrical wrapper edge. Each corner bracket cooperates with the perimetrical wrapper edge to fully define the perimetrical breaker channel. A trim breaker is adhered to the metallic outer wrapper and the corner brackets at the perimetrical breaker channel and having a liner channel that receives a portion of the inner liner. The trim breaker extends between the inner liner and the outer wrapper. An insulation material is disposed within an insulating cavity defined between the inner liner and the outer wrapper.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An operable panel for an appliance, the operable panel comprising:
a metallic outer wrapper having a perimetrical wrapper edge that partially defines a perimetrical breaker channel;
an inner liner;
a plurality of corner brackets disposed at respective corners of the perimetrical wrapper edge, each corner bracket defining the perimetrical breaker channel at the respective corners and cooperating with the perimetrical wrapper edge to fully define the perimetrical breaker channel;
a trim breaker adhered to the metallic outer wrapper and the plurality of corner brackets at the perimetrical breaker channel and having a liner channel that receives a portion of the inner liner, the trim breaker extending between the inner liner and the metallic outer wrapper; and
an insulation material disposed within an insulating cavity defined between the inner liner and the metallic outer wrapper.

2. The operable panel of claim 1 , further comprising:
a gasket disposed within a gasket channel of the trim breaker, wherein the gasket channel is positioned proximate a wrapper channel that seats within the perimetrical breaker channel of the metallic outer wrapper.

3. The operable panel of claim 2 , wherein the trim breaker includes a U-shaped channel, wherein one surface of the U-shaped channel defines the wrapper channel and an opposing surface of the U-shaped channel defines the gasket channel.

4. The operable panel of claim 1 , wherein each corner bracket includes an engagement surface that defines a plurality of adhesion grooves that retain an adhesive therein, and wherein the adhesive at least partially secures the corner bracket to an interior surface of the metallic outer wrapper.

5. The operable panel of claim 2 , wherein the perimetrical breaker channel is defined within the perimetrical wrapper edge, and wherein the wrapper channel of the trim breaker seats within the perimetrical breaker channel of the metallic outer wrapper.

6. The operable panel of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of corner brackets are entirely disposed within the insulating cavity.

7. The operable panel of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of corner brackets are injection molded to the metallic outer wrapper.

8. The operable panel of claim 1 , wherein the metallic outer wrapper includes at least one wrapper wall that is injection molded to define at least a portion of the trim breaker.

Assignees

• Whirlpool Co

Inventors

• Allard Paul B
• Deka Lakshya J
• Dherde Eric J
• Frattini Gustavo
• Gomes Alberto R
• Hunter Lynne F
• Miller Dustin M
• Naik Abhay
• Querfurth Karen J
• Visin Jerry M

Classifications

• Y02B40/00

  Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers · CPC title

• B32B2509/10

  Refrigerators or refrigerating equipment · CPC title

• B32B15/043

  of metal (B32B15/01 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F25D23/02

  Doors; Covers (F25D23/08 takes precedence {locks or fastenings E05B65/0042}) · CPC title

• B32B7/08

  by mechanical means · CPC title