Attachment assembly for an insulated door

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12031769-B2
Application number	US-202117475487-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 15, 2021
Priority date	Sep 15, 2021
Publication date	Jul 9, 2024
Grant date	Jul 9, 2024

Abstract

An insulated structure includes a door that has a liner and a wrapper. The liner defines at least one channel. At least one attachment feature is disposed within the at least one channel defined by the liner and coupled to the door. The at least one attachment feature includes a body that has a plurality of apertures that are defined along a length of the body. A bin is operably coupled to the door via the at least one attachment feature. The bin includes a coupling feature that extends through at least one of the plurality of apertures that are defined by the body.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vacuum insulated structure for an appliance, comprising:
a wrapper;
a liner operably coupled to the wrapper to define an insulation cavity, the liner defining a first channel and a second channel along an attachment surface of the liner;
a trim breaker coupled to the liner and the wrapper to further define the insulation cavity, the trim breaker having a first receiving portion that receives a perimetrical flange of the wrapper and having a second receiving portion that receives a perimetrical flange of the liner;
an attachment assembly operably coupled to the attachment surface of the liner proximate the trim breaker, the attachment assembly including a first attachment feature disposed within the first channel and a second attachment feature disposed within the second channel, wherein a portion of the trim breaker proximate the second receiving portion is at least partially disposed over the attachment assembly; and
a bin operably coupled to the liner via the attachment assembly.

2. The vacuum insulated structure of claim 1 , wherein the first attachment feature and the second attachment feature are disposed along a vertical extent of the liner.

3. The vacuum insulated structure of claim 1 , wherein the first attachment feature and the second attachment feature are raised relative to a central portion of the liner.

4. The vacuum insulated structure of claim 3 , further comprising:
a false panel operably coupled to at least a portion of the attachment assembly, wherein the attachment assembly is coplanar with the false panel and the bin is selectively coupled to the attachment assembly proximate the false panel.

5. The vacuum insulated structure of claim 4 , wherein the false panel at least partially conceals the portion of the attachment assembly.

6. The vacuum insulated structure of claim 1 , wherein the first channel and the second channel extend around a perimeter of the liner to define a perimeter channel of the liner.

7. The vacuum insulated structure of claim 1 , wherein the attachment assembly is coplanar with a central portion of the liner.

8. An insulated structure, comprising:
a door having a liner and a wrapper, the liner defining at least one channel;
a trim breaker that extends between the liner and the wrapper, the trim breaker having a first receiving portion that receives a perimetrical flange of the wrapper and having a second receiving portion that receives a perimetrical flange of the liner;
at least one attachment feature disposed within the at least one channel defined by the liner and coupled to the door, the at least one attachment feature including a body having a plurality of apertures defined along a length of the body, wherein a portion of the trim breaker cooperates with the liner to define the at least one channel; and
a bin operably coupled to the door via the at least one attachment feature, the bin extending through at least one of the plurality of apertures defined by the body.

9. The insulated structure of claim 8 , wherein the trim breaker is at least partially disposed over the at least one attachment feature.

10. The insulated structure of claim 8 , wherein the at least one channel includes a first channel and a second channel, and wherein the at least one attachment feature includes a first attachment feature disposed within the first channel and a second attachment feature disposed within the second channel.

11. The insulated structure of claim 8 , further comprising:
a false panel operably coupled to the at least one attachment feature, wherein the false panel is coplanar with the at least one attachment feature and the bin is coupled to the at least one attachment feature proximate the false panel.

12. The insulated structure of claim 8 , wherein the at least one channel is a perimeter channel defined along a perimeter of the liner, and wherein the at least one attachment feature is disposed within the perimeter channel.

13. The insulated structure of claim 8 , wherein the door has a central portion, and wherein the at least one attachment feature is coplanar with the central portion of the door.

14. An insulated door, comprising:
a first panel;
a second panel operably coupled to the first panel to define an insulation cavity;
a trim breaker coupled to the first panel and the second panel, the trim breaker having a first receiving portion that receives a perimetrical flange of the first panel and having a second receiving portion that receives a perimetrical flange of the second panel;
an attachment feature operably coupled to the second panel adjacent the trim breaker, the attachment feature having a body and defining a plurality of apertures along the body, wherein the trim breaker is at least partially positioned over and coupled to the attachment feature; and
a false panel operably coupled to the attachment feature and configured to at least partially conceal the second panel.

15. The insulated door of claim 14 , wherein the attachment feature is coplanar with a central portion of the second panel.

16. The insulated door of claim 14 , further comprising:
a bin operably coupled to the attachment feature proximate the trim breaker.

17. The insulated door of claim 14 , wherein the second panel defines a channel, and wherein the attachment feature is disposed within the channel.

18. The insulated door of claim 17 , wherein the channel defined by the second panel is a shallow channel, and wherein the attachment feature is disposed within the shallow channel and is coplanar with the false panel.

19. The insulated door of claim 14 , wherein the false panel at least partially conceals the attachment feature.

20. The insulated door of claim 14 , wherein the trim breaker and the second panel cooperate to define a channel that receives the attachment feature.

Assignees

• Whirlpool Co

Inventors

• Ekshinge Sunil S
• Hunter Lynne Foster
• Krishna Sai B
• Mithari Omkar Sunil
• Naik Abhay
• Sarma Abinash

Classifications

• F25D2201/14

  using subatmospheric pressure · CPC title

• F25D25/04

  by conveyors (in general B65G) · CPC title

• F25D23/02 Primary

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

• 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

• F25D23/04 Primary

  with special compartments, e.g. butter conditioners · CPC title