Whirlpool Corporation

Artico, L.l.c.

Aaron Michael Stewart

Abhay Naik

Lynne F Hunter

Sanket Vivek Phalak

Dustin Michael Miller

Jacob Charles Ickes

Arunkumar Harikrishnasamy

Daniel Lottinville

Brian Wood

Karen J Querfurth

Sai B Krishna

Jeffrey P Beckner

A refrigeration unit includes a cabinet that defines a storage cavity, a door pivotably coupled to the cabinet via a hinge and configured to selectively cover an opening to the storage cavity, and a bracket that connects the door to the hinge. The door includes a first surface, a second surface adjacent to the first surface, and a third surface adjacent to the first and second surfaces. The bracket includes a first portion fixed to the first surface, a second portion fixed to the second surface, and a third portion fixed to the third surface.

Refrigeration unit door bracket

A refrigerating appliance includes an inner liner, an outer wrapper and a trim breaker extending between the inner liner and the outer wrapper to define an insulating cavity therebetween. The trim breaker includes a liner portion coupled with the inner liner, a wrapper portion coupled to the outer wrapper and an outer glazing member that extends between the liner and wrapper portions. An external surface of the outer glazing member defines a contact surface that is configured to receive a seal of an operable panel in a closed position.

Trim breaker for a structural cabinet that incorporates a structural glass contact surface

A standoff feature for an appliance includes a connecting member having a first end and a second end. A first side member extends in a first direction from the first end of the connecting member. A second side member is spaced from the first side member. The second side member extends in the first direction from the second end of the connecting member. A first flange extends from a first side edge of the connecting member. The first side edge extends between the first end and the second end. The first flange extends in a second direction from the connecting member. A second flange extends from a second side edge of the connecting member. The second side edge extends between the first end and the second end and opposes the first side edge. The second flange extends in the second direction from the connecting member.

Standoff feature for appliance

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.

Connector assembly for vacuum insulated structures

A refrigerating appliance includes a cabinet including an outer wrapper defining opposing first and second sidewalls, a rear wall coupling the first and second sidewalls, and an inner liner. An insulating cavity that is under vacuum is defined between the outer wrapper and inner liner. A trim breaker forms a seal between the outer wrapper and the inner liner. A mullion extends across an access opening. A mullion bracket extends across the access opening where the mullion bracket includes first and second ends having engagement portions coupled with an exterior surface of the outer wrapper. A pair of recesses on the exterior surface of the outer wrapper provide corresponding gaps between the first and second ends of the mullion bracket and the first and second sidewalls, respectively.

Cabinet reinforcing assembly

A cabinet of an appliance includes an outer wrapper defining opposing first and second sidewalls, a rear wall coupling the first and second sidewalls and an access opening and an inner liner defining an interior. The outer wrapper and the inner liner may define a sealed insulating cavity therebetween that is under vacuum. A plurality of reinforcement brackets may be disposed on the outer wrapper. The plurality of reinforcement brackets are configured to prevent deformation of the cabinet during application of the vacuum to the insulating cavity.

A cabinet structure includes a wrapper defining an opening. At least one liner is positioned inside the opening of the wrapper and defines a temperature-controlled compartment. An insulation cavity is defined between the wrapper and the liner. A trim breaker is coupled to the wrapper and the liner. A first hinge bracket is positioned outwardly of the trim breaker. An encapsulation member is positioned rearwardly of the trim breaker and defines an encapsulation cavity. A first hinge support has a first section positioned along a second hinge support and a second section extending rearwardly from the first section. The first hinge bracket is coupled to the first and second hinge supports.

Appliance hinge assembly

A standoff assembly for an appliance includes a trim breaker that defines a channel. A standoff feature is disposed on a bottom surface within the channel. The standoff feature includes a base with at least one horizontal flange and at least one vertical tapered projection extending therefrom. An adhesive is disposed within the channel that is defined by the trim breaker. An outer wrapper has an outer edge. The outer edge is disposed within the channel that is defined by the trim breaker.

A flush-mount refrigerator is provided that includes a cabinet defining a compartment and including a pair of side walls that extends forwardly of the compartment. A pair of doors is coupled to the cabinet and positioned on either side of a centerline of the cabinet. The pair of doors are spaced apart by a predetermined spacing. A storage feature is positioned within the compartment of the cabinet and movable between an extended position and a recessed position when one or both of the pair of doors is in an open position. A hinge assembly is coupled to the cabinet and to one of the pair of doors. The hinge assembly includes a six-link mechanism that keeps the door within a predefined distance of at least one side wall when the door is moved from a closed position to the open position.

Growing community of inventors

Buchanan, MI, United States of America

Aaron Michael Stewart