Vacuum insulated structure with sheet metal features to control vacuum bow
US11808514B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 27, 2023 |
| Grant date | Nov 7, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 27, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25D2201/14
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A refrigerator includes a vacuum-insulated cabinet structure enclosing an insulating cavity and including an outer wrapper having a first side wall defining a perimeter, an outer frame portion defined radially inward of the perimeter, and an inner area surrounded and supported by the outer frame portion. The inner area initially defines a first planar level with at least a portion of the outer frame portion extending to a second planar level parallel to and spaced apart from the first planar level in an axially outward direction. The insulating cavity is sealed and has a vacuum drawn therefrom with the outer frame portion deformed such that the inner area is moved axially inward away from the second planar level under a force of the vacuum within the insulating cavity with at least the portion of the outer frame portion remaining at the second planar level.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.