Insulation retention feature for a dishwasher appliance

Abstract

A dishwasher appliance defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, and includes a structural base, a wash tub positioned on top of the structural base and defining a wash chamber for receipt of a load of articles, a tub support positioned between the structural base and the wash tub, wherein the tub support defines a blanket retention feature, and an insulation blanket positioned over at least a portion of the wash tub, the insulation blanket configured to engage the blanket retention feature to retain the insulation blanket on the wash tub.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dishwasher appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the dishwasher appliance comprising:
 a structural base;   a wash tub positioned on top of the structural base and defining a wash chamber for receipt of a load of articles;   a tub support positioned between the structural base and the wash tub, wherein the tub support defines a blanket retention feature; and   an insulation blanket positioned over at least a portion of the wash tub, the insulation blanket configured to engage the blanket retention feature to retain the insulation blanket on the wash tub.   
     
     
         2 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the tub support comprises:
 a mounting structure that is attached to the structural base and defines a tub support surface for supporting the wash tub.   
     
     
         3 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 2 , wherein the blanket retention feature is integrally formed with the mounting structure as a single, integral piece. 
     
     
         4 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the tub support is formed from an injection molded plastic. 
     
     
         5 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the blanket retention feature is a U-shaped clip oriented down along the vertical direction. 
     
     
         6 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the tub support and the blanket retention feature are positioned proximate a rear of the wash tub along the transverse direction. 
     
     
         7 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the tub support and the blanket retention feature are positioned proximate a bottom of the wash tub along the vertical direction. 
     
     
         8 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the tub support is a first tub support positioned on a first side of the wash tub, the dishwasher appliance further comprising a second tub support positioned on a second side of the wash tub. 
     
     
         9 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the insulation blanket defines an aperture for receiving the blanket retention feature. 
     
     
         10 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 9 , wherein the insulation blanket is taught over the wash tub when the blanket retention feature engages the aperture of the insulation blanket. 
     
     
         11 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the wash tub defines a front collar that protrudes outward from a tub sidewall, and wherein the blanket retention feature does not protrude further than the front collar. 
     
     
         12 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the insulation blanket defines a back flap that is seated over a rear of the wash tub. 
     
     
         13 . An insulation assembly for a dishwasher appliance, the dishwasher appliance comprising a structural base and a wash tub positioned on top of the structural base, the insulation assembly comprising:
 a tub support positioned between the structural base and the wash tub, wherein the tub support defines a blanket retention feature; and   an insulation blanket positioned over at least a portion of the wash tub, the insulation blanket configured to engage the blanket retention feature to retain the insulation blanket on the wash tub.   
     
     
         14 . The insulation assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the tub support comprises:
 a mounting structure that is attached to the structural base and defines a tub support surface for supporting the wash tub, and wherein the blanket retention feature is integrally formed with the mounting structure as a single, integral piece.   
     
     
         15 . The insulation assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the tub support is formed from an injection molded plastic. 
     
     
         16 . The insulation assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the blanket retention feature is a U-shaped clip oriented down along a vertical direction. 
     
     
         17 . The insulation assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the tub support and the blanket retention feature are positioned proximate a rear of the wash tub along a transverse direction and a bottom of the wash tub along a vertical direction. 
     
     
         18 . The insulation assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the tub support is a first tub support positioned on a first side of the wash tub, the dishwasher appliance further comprising a second tub support positioned on a second side of the wash tub. 
     
     
         19 . The insulation assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the insulation blanket defines an aperture for receiving the blanket retention feature, and wherein the insulation blanket is taught over the wash tub when the blanket retention feature engages the aperture of the insulation blanket. 
     
     
         20 . The insulation assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the wash tub defines a front collar that protrudes outward from a tub sidewall, and wherein the blanket retention feature does not protrude further than the front collar.