Back to results
US 2024/0401870 A1Published application
Connector assembly for vacuum insulated structures
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsLynne F. Hunter, Aaron M. Stewart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
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.
Claims20
A fill system for a vacuum insulated structure, comprising:
- a structural wrapper defining an insulating cavity, wherein the structural wrapper defines a fill port in fluid communication with the insulating cavity;
- a materials dispenser configured to store and dispense insulation materials;
- and
- a connector assembly configured to selectively couple with the structural wrapper and the materials dispenser, wherein the connector assembly includes:
- a base plate including a first surface and a second surface, the second surface configured to abut the structural wrapper proximate to the fill port, and wherein the base plate defines a fill opening configured to be in fluid communication with the fill port;
- a fill tube extending from the first surface of the base plate, wherein the fill tube defines an inner channel in fluid communication with the fill opening, and wherein the fill tube is configured to engage the materials dispenser for guiding the insulation materials from the materials dispenser, through the fill port, and into the insulating cavity during a fill process;
- and
- a locating feature extending from the second surface of the base plate, wherein the locating feature forms a continuation of the inner channel, and wherein the locating feature is configured to extend through the fill port.
5 more elements
A fill system for a vacuum insulated structure, comprising:
- a structural wrapper defining an insulating cavity, wherein the structural wrapper defines a fill port in fluid communication with the insulating cavity, and wherein the structural wrapper defines a projection proximate to the fill port;
- and
- a connector assembly configured to selectively couple the structural wrapper with a materials dispenser for guiding insulation materials from the materials dispenser and into the insulation cavity during a fill process, wherein the connector assembly includes:
- a base plate including a first surface and a second surface, the second surface configured to abut the structural wrapper proximate to the fill port, and wherein the base plate defines a fill opening configured to be in fluid communication with the fill port, and further wherein the base plate defines an aperture to receive the projection of the structural wrapper;
- a fill tube extending from the first surface of the base plate, wherein the fill tube defines an inner channel in fluid communication with the fill opening to form a path through the connector assembly for the fill process;
- and
- a fastener configured to engage the projection when the projection extends through the aperture to couple the connector assembly to the structural wrapper.
4 more elements
A fill system for a vacuum insulated appliance, comprising:
- a structural wrapper defining an insulating cavity, wherein the structural wrapper defines a fill port in fluid communication with the insulating cavity;
- a base plate defining a fill opening in fluid communication with the fill port, wherein the base plate defines an aperture;
- a fill tube extending from the base plate, wherein the fill tube defines an inner channel in fluid communication with the fill port and the fill opening to form at least a portion of a path for insulation materials from a materials dispenser to the insulation cavity;
- and
- a toggle magnet positioned within the aperture and coupled with the base plate, wherein the toggle magnet is configured to form a magnetic engagement with the structural wrapper when in an activated state.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.