Accessory mounting system and method of mounting accessories under a worktop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drawer installations under worktops in environments like fast food kitchens or workshops are cumbersome, requiring specialist skills and tools, and lack flexibility to adapt to changing work processes.
Innovation Solution
An accessory mounting system comprising profile elements with free legs and a mounting adapter with recesses and a resilient element, allowing easy installation and flexible reconfiguration without tools, using a resilient element to secure the adapter in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional drawer installation methods are used, then secure mounting is achieved, but installation requires specialist skills and tools, increasing costs and installation time
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting adapter serves as an intermediary component between the profile elements and the accessory. It features recesses that engage with the free legs of the profile elements, creating a secure mechanical connection without requiring specialized tools or skills. The resilient element within the adapter provides automatic locking when pressed, ensuring reliable mounting while maintaining ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element in the mounting adapter enables self-service installation. When the adapter is inserted between the profile elements, the resilient element automatically engages and locks the assembly in place through its elastic deformation, eliminating the need for external fastening tools or specialist intervention.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional drawer installation methods are used, then stable mounting is achieved, but installation time and costs increase due to specialist skills requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting adapter acts as a mediator that provides stable mounting through its geometric design. The recesses in the adapter engage with the free legs of the profile elements at specific distances, creating a stable triangular configuration that prevents movement while allowing quick installation without specialist skills or extended time requirements.
3Reliability
If fixed drawer installations are used, then secure mounting is achieved, but flexibility to adapt to new use cases is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables dynamic reconfiguration by allowing the mounting adapter to be easily removed and repositioned along the profile elements. The resilient element allows for quick release and remounting at different locations, providing adaptability to changing work processes while maintaining secure mounting at each position.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is segmented into independent components: profile elements, mounting adapters, and accessories. This segmentation allows each component to be independently positioned and reconfigured, enabling flexible adaptation to new use cases while maintaining reliable connections through the adapter's engagement mechanism.
4Reliability
If specialist skills are required for installation, then proper mounting is achieved, but costs and waiting times increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting adapter is designed for self-service installation. The resilient element automatically engages with the profile elements when the adapter is inserted, providing proper mounting quality without requiring specialist skills. The simple press-and-lock mechanism eliminates the need for specialized tools or trained personnel, reducing both costs and waiting times.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy, tool-free installation and flexible adaptation to changing work processes, reducing costs and installation times while ensuring secure mounting of accessories.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient element, which resilient element is devised to assume at least two distinctive positions, namely a first position in which it is level with the first recess, and a second position in which it is displaced relative to the first recess
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
We propose an accessory mounting system, comprising: a first profile element (2) having a first free leg (2a); a second profile element (3) having a second free leg (3a); said first profile element (2) and said second profile element (3) being arranged or arrangeable such that said first free leg (2a) and said second free leg (3a) face each other and extend in or parallelly to a common plane as well as in a common direction at a constant free distance from each other; a mounting adapter (4) with a main body (4a), which main body (4a) has at least a first recess (4b) and at least a second recess (4c) that are located on opposite sides of said main body (4a), the first recess (4b) for engaging said first free leg (2a) and the second recess (4c) for engaging said second free leg (3a), so that said mounting adapter (4) is slidingly supported or supportable on and between said first profile element (2) and said second profile element (3); wherein a first distance between a base of the first recess (4b) and a base of the second recess (4c) is smaller than said free distance, and wherein a second distance between an opening of the first recess (4b) and an opening of the second recess (4c) is greater than said free distance, whereby the main body (4a) can be inserted into a space between the two profile elements (2, 3) with an oblique orientation with respect to said plane when the first free leg (2a) engages the first recess (4b), preferably up to the base of the first recess (4b); said mounting adapter (4) comprising, on or as part of said main body (4a), a resilient element (5), which resilient element (5) is devised to assume at least two distinctive positions, namely a first position in which it is level with the first recess (4b), and a second position in which it is displaced relative to the first recess (4b), so that the first free leg (2a) is secured in the first recess (4b) when the resilient element (5) is in the first position and both free legs (2a, 3a) engage in the respective recess (4b, 4c).