Dishwasher Anchoring Bracket for Countertop-Free Stable Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current anchoring methods for dishwashers in kitchens require the appliance to be on-site for measurement and installation, leading to additional trips and potential damage to countertops, as well as insecure mounting that can cause tilting issues due to incorrect installation.

Innovation Solution

A dishwasher anchoring bracket with multiple anchoring zones and flexible structural attachment points that can be attached to adjacent cabinetry or structural elements without drilling into countertops, allowing for secure anchoring with caulk or adhesive for shock absorption and stability, enabling installation without the dishwasher present.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the dishwasher is mounted using current anchoring methods requiring the appliance to be on-site for measurement and installation, then proper alignment can be achieved, but installation time increases and additional trips are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring bracket is pre-assembled with the dishwasher before installation, allowing measurements and alignment to be completed in advance. This preliminary assembly eliminates the need for multiple trips and on-site measurements, as the complete unit can be installed as a single assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the anchoring bracket and dishwasher into a single pre-assembled unit. This merging allows the alignment and measurement functions to be performed once during pre-assembly, rather than requiring separate installation trips for the bracket and dishwasher.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If drilling into countertops is used for anchoring, then secure mounting is achieved, but damage to countertops occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidcountertop damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the anchoring function from the countertop surface by using side-mounted brackets that attach to cabinet frames or side walls. This removes the harmful drilling action from the countertop while maintaining secure mounting through alternative attachment points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The anchoring bracket serves as an intermediary element that transfers the mounting function from the countertop to the cabinet structure. The bracket attaches to the dishwasher and connects to side walls or cabinet frames, mediating the connection without requiring countertop penetration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If side mounting to cabinets is used without securing to countertop, then countertop damage is avoided, but the dishwasher may tilt when door is opened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecountertop damageVSAvoiddishwasher stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple anchoring functions into a single side-mounted bracket system. The bracket simultaneously provides structural attachment to the cabinet frame and secure connection to the dishwasher, combining the stability function previously requiring countertop attachment with the side-mounting approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket incorporates curved or angled attachment surfaces that conform to both the cabinet frame and dishwasher mounting points. This geometric adaptation allows the bracket to distribute forces effectively and prevent tilting without requiring perpendicular countertop drilling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple anchoring zones and flexible attachment points are provided, then adaptability to different installations is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidbracket complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring bracket is segmented into multiple functional zones with discrete attachment points. This segmentation allows different portions of the bracket to be used depending on the specific installation requirements, providing adaptability while keeping each individual attachment point relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket is designed as a universal component with multiple anchoring zones and flexible attachment points that can accommodate various dishwasher models and cabinet configurations. This multi-functionality allows a single bracket design to serve multiple installation scenarios without requiring complex customization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9510726B1Dishwasher anchoring bracket

Publication Date: 2016.12.06 CONSTR VENTURES TENNESSEE LLC

AI summary

A method of attaching a dishwasher using a mounting bracket including a bracket body, two attachment points, and at least one anchoring zone with the at least one anchoring zone for corresponding to the attachment of the dishwasher anchoring hardware and a plurality of anchoring holes within the at least one anchoring zone for providing multiple options in anchoring a dishwasher.