Whirlpool Corporation

Tao Liu

Lakshya J Deka

Dustin Michael Miller

Abhay Naik

Paul B Allard

Hua Liu

A vacuum insulated cabinet structure includes an exterior wrapper with a front edge extending around an opening thereof. A liner includes a front edge extending around an opening of the liner, wherein the liner is disposed inside of the wrapper. A thermal bridge includes an outer coupling portion and an inner coupling portion. In assembly, the outer coupling portion is overmolded to the front edge of the wrapper, and the inner coupling portion is overmolded to the front edge of the liner to form a sealed vacuum cavity (VC) between the wrapper and the liner. The thermal bridge is formed in a mold in which the wrapper and liner are partially disposed to form a unitary composite structure.

Hermetically sealed overmolded plastic thermal bridge breaker with refrigerator cabinet liner and wrapper for vacuum insulation

A method of making an insulated cabinet for a refrigerator comprises: welding sheet metal to form an external wrapper, the external wrapper including an interior and welded areas with an outboard-facing side; welding sheet metal to form a first liner configured to be disposed within the interior of the external wrapper, the first liner including welded areas with an inboard-facing side; applying an adhesive to the outboard-facing side of the welded areas of the external wrapper; applying an adhesive to the inboard-facing side of the welded areas of the first liner; and disposing the first liner within the interior of the external wrapper, leaving a space between the first liner and the external wrapper.

Method of making a vacuum insulated cabinet for a refrigerator

A vacuum insulated cabinet structure includes an exterior wrapper with a front edge extending around an opening thereof. At least one liner includes a front edge extending around an opening of the liner, wherein the liner is disposed inside of the wrapper with the front edge of the wrapper disposed around the front edge of the liner in assembly. A thermal bridge includes an outer coupling portion and an inner coupling portion. In assembly, the outer coupling portion is overmolded to a portion of the front edge of the wrapper, and the inner coupling portion is overmolded to a portion of the front edge of the liner to form a sealed vacuum cavity between the wrapper and the liner. The thermal bridge is formed in a mold in which the preformed wrapper and liner are partially disposed to form a unitary composite structure.

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St. Joseph, MI, United States of America

Tao Liu