US 11,988,439 B2
Refrigerator appliance subcomponent mounting system
Luiz Afranio Alves Ferreira, Joinville (BR); Vinicius Bianchezzi, Joinville (BR); Ualisson Ferreira Da Silva, Joinville (BR); Francisco De Sena, Jr., Joinville (BR); Acácio Da Silva, Jr., Joinville (BR); and Lucas F Lonni, Joinville (BR)
Assigned to Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US)
Filed by WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, Benton Harbor, MI (US)
Filed on Jun. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/851,632.
Prior Publication US 2023/0417478 A1, Dec. 28, 2023
Int. Cl. F25D 23/06 (2006.01); F16B 33/00 (2006.01); F16B 37/04 (2006.01)
CPC F25D 23/062 (2013.01) [F16B 33/00 (2013.01); F16B 37/042 (2013.01); F25D 23/067 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A refrigerator appliance comprising:
a cabinet having walls defining an internal cavity;
an inner liner (i) disposed within the internal cavity such that a gap is defined between the walls and the inner liner, (ii) having an external surface facing toward the gap, (iii) having an internal surface facing away from the gap on an opposing side of the inner liner relative to the external surface, and (iv) defining a keyed-orifice extending between the external and internal surfaces;
an anchor assembly secured to the inner liner, the anchor assembly having,
a receiving portion (i) disposed within the keyed-orifice, (ii) having a first axial end extending outward from the internal surface, (iii) having a second axial end extending outward from the external surface, and (iv) having tabs extending radially outward at a position that is between the first and second axial ends, wherein (a) the first axial end defines a fastener-receiving orifice, (b) the second axial end has threads, and (c) the tabs engage the internal surface, and
a cover portion (i) disposed within the gap, (ii) defining a tapped orifice, and (iii) having a skirt extending radially outward from the tapped orifice, wherein (a) the tapped orifice engages the threads to secure the cover portion to the receiving portion, (b) the skirt engages the external surface and extends about the keyed-orifice to isolate the keyed-orifice from the gap, and (c) the tabs and skirt collectively generate a compression force on the inner liner to secure the anchor assembly to the inner liner;
a subcomponent disposed within the internal cavity;
a fastener engaging the subcomponent and the fastener-receiving orifice to secure the subcomponent to the anchor assembly; and
an insulating material (i) disposed within the gap, (ii) between the walls and the inner liner, and (iii) over the skirt.