Structural panel for an appliance having stamped components and method therefor

• US 11,065,842 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2016
• Issued: 07/20/2021
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Polley, Christopher M
• Application Number:
  US16/308,979
• Publication Number:
  US 20190308393A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,756 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/72 by combined operations or combined techniques, e.g. welding and stitching
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/00 Layered products comprising a layer of metal
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/043 of metal B32B15/01 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/546 Flexural strength; Flexion stiffness
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2509/00 Household appliances
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2509/10 Refrigerators or refrigerating equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/08 by mechanical means
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/12 using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2201/14 using subatmospheric pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/02 Doors; Covers F25D23/08 takes precedence locks or fastenings E05B65/0042
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/021 Sliding doors
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/064 formed by moulding, e.g. moulding in situ
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/08 Parts formed wholly or mainly of plastics materials
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/085 Breaking strips
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24777 Edge feature

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.

Claims

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.