Kitchen appliance assembly and method of converting a kitchen having one of a slide-in and drop-in appliance to a kitchen having built-in appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Converting a kitchen from a slide-in or drop-in appliance setup to a built-in appliance configuration is costly due to the need for extensive wiring modifications and upgrades, which include expensive labor and material costs, as well as compliance with safety and electrical standards.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus involving a power strip with a range plug and multiple sockets that can be integrated into existing kitchen structures, allowing built-in appliances to be connected to a standard range receptacle without requiring extensive rewiring, using a flexible electrical cable and housing design that meets safety standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If double wiring and circuit breaker upgrades are performed to convert to built-in appliances, then design flexibility and user-friendliness are improved, but conversion cost and structural alteration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a power strip apparatus as an intermediary device between the existing range receptacle and multiple built-in appliances. This power strip consolidates multiple electrical connections into a single interface, allowing multiple appliances to be powered through one receptacle connection rather than requiring separate wiring for each appliance to the circuit breaker box.
Solution Approach 2:
The power strip apparatus serves multiple functions: it provides power to multiple different appliances simultaneously, maintains compatibility with existing electrical infrastructure, and enables conversion to built-in configuration without requiring structural changes. This multi-functional approach resolves the contradiction by achieving design flexibility while avoiding wiring complexity.
2Ease of operation
If extensive wiring modifications and upgrades are performed, then built-in appliance functionality is achieved, but labor costs and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power strip apparatus is designed as a pre-assembled unit that can be installed without requiring preliminary extensive wiring modifications. The device comes ready-to-use with all necessary electrical connections pre-configured, eliminating the need for costly on-site wiring work and circuit breaker upgrades.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a relatively inexpensive power strip apparatus that can be easily replaced or upgraded without significant investment in permanent electrical infrastructure. This approach reduces conversion costs by using a cost-effective solution rather than expensive permanent wiring modifications.
3Reliability
If wall removal and extensive renovation are performed to access existing wiring, then electrical connection to built-in appliances is achieved, but renovation costs and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power strip apparatus acts as an intermediary that connects to the existing range receptacle without requiring access to the main electrical wiring behind walls. This eliminates the need for wall removal and extensive renovation while maintaining reliable electrical connection to multiple built-in appliances.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the electrical connection function from the existing range receptacle and redistributes it to multiple appliances through the power strip. This allows the system to achieve built-in appliance connectivity without extracting or modifying the building's structural wiring infrastructure.
4Reliability
If separate wire, circuit breaker and range receptacle are installed for each built-in appliance, then electrical safety and code compliance are improved, but device complexity and conversion cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power strip apparatus merges multiple electrical connections into a single unified interface that connects to the existing range receptacle. This consolidation maintains electrical safety by using the existing certified receptacle connection while reducing the overall complexity of the electrical infrastructure by eliminating the need for separate wiring and circuit breakers for each appliance.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method of converting a kitchen having one of the slide-in and the drop-in appliance electrically coupled to a range receptacle, to a kitchen having built-in appliances. The method includes removing the one of the slide-in and the drop-in appliance from the range receptacle. The method includes installing at least two kitchen appliances into at least one of preexisting countertops and cabinetry of the kitchen. Each of the kitchen appliances includes a range plug. The method includes providing a power strip apparatus comprising a range plug and a power strip having a plurality of range sockets electrically coupled to the range plug of the power strip apparatus. The method includes inserting the range plug of the power strip apparatus into the range receptacle and inserting the range plugs of the kitchen appliances into respective ones of the range sockets of the power strip.