Kitchen Extractor Hood Mounting Frames for Fast Cabinet Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for mounting kitchen extractor hoods between hanging cabinets are cumbersome, requiring multiple persons for installation and failing to ensure quick and easy alignment with the cabinets' surface, leading to prolonged installation times.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a first frame with adjustable projections and a second frame, allowing for secure and accurate positioning of the extraction motor unit and hood casing without the need for screws and bolts, enabling single-person installation and coplanar alignment with hanging cabinets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a first frame is secured to the wall and the hood casing is fixed to the first frame using screws and bolts, then the hood can be securely mounted, but at least two persons are required for installation and the installation time becomes very long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting securityVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A second frame is introduced as an intermediary component between the first frame and the hood casing. The second frame includes a holding element that receives the hood casing, eliminating the need for direct screw and bolt fixation between the first frame and casing. This intermediary structure enables single-person installation while maintaining secure mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Shape

If the hood is installed between two hanging cabinets with coplanar alignment, then aesthetic requirements are met, but the installation becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoplanar alignmentVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The second frame is designed with an adjustable projection that can be preliminarily positioned to ensure coplanar alignment with the hanging cabinets before the hood casing is installed. This preliminary adjustment of the frame structure simplifies the overall installation process by pre-establishing the correct positioning and orientation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If traditional screw and bolt fixation is used to secure the hood casing to the frame, then reliable mounting is achieved, but the installation process becomes cumbersome and requires multiple persons

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The complex screw and bolt fixation process is extracted and replaced by a simplified holding element mechanism. The holding element on the second frame directly receives and secures the hood casing through a plug-socket type connection, eliminating the time-consuming screw and bolt installation while maintaining reliable mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3857129B1Assembly for mounting a kitchen extractor hood and method executing said mounting
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 ELICA SPA
  • EP3857129B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3857129B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3857129B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a system for mounting a kitchen extractor hood to a vertical wall (1) of a kitchen between a pair of hanging cabinets (2, 3) of the kitchen furniture, which have a given depth (H) relative to the surface (1) of the wall, such system comprising: a hood comprising filter devices (5) for filtering the extracted air, an extraction motor unit (8), a channel for ejecting the extracted air and a casing having an inverted-T shape, wherein the casing comprises a horizontal bar (4) configured to contain the filter devices (5) for filtering the extracted air and a vertical stem (7) configured to contain the extractor motor unit (8) and the channel for ejecting the extracted air; a first frame (9), adapted to be secured to the vertical wall (1) of the kitchen, between the pair of hanging cabinets (2, 3), such first frame (9) having means for supporting the extraction motor unit (8) of the hood and means (18) for adjusting the position of the extraction motor unit (8) relative to the wall (1), based on the depth (H) of the hanging elements; a second frame (19), adapted to be placed and fixed above the first frame (9), such second frame (19) having means (20, 21) for receiving and holding the casing of the hood; wherein the first frame (9) comprises right-angled elements (10, 11), whose vertical long sides are adapted to be fixed to the wall (1) by expansion means (12, 13, 14), such right-angled elements (10, 11) of the first frame (9) comprise overhanging short sides (15, 16), perpendicular to the wall (1) of the kitchen, when the frame is attached thereto, such short sides (15, 16) forming a bracket (17) for positioning and supporting the extraction motor unit (8)