Modular kitchen, particularly for small dwellings, hotel suites, residences, offices and the like
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional kitchen solutions for small spaces lack aesthetic value, functionality, and facilitate minimal interaction among individuals, as they often require the cook to face away from others due to limited layout options and reduced square footage.
Innovation Solution
A modular kitchen design featuring an island unit with a cooking and washing area, and independent containment elements with cooking and preservation devices, optimized for compact spaces (2.5-8 m²) to allow for interaction and integration with adjacent rooms, while maintaining high aesthetic value and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If wall-mounted or corner solutions with sliding leaves are used to reduce space occupation, then the kitchen fits in small spaces, but the aesthetic value is reduced and interaction between people is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The kitchen is divided into separate functional modules (cooking module, washing module, storage modules) that can be independently arranged. This segmentation allows the kitchen to maintain a compact footprint while using vertical space effectively through stacked configurations, preserving aesthetic value without requiring extensive wall mounting or corner solutions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional wall-mounted layouts to three-dimensional stacked modular units. By utilizing vertical stacking of functional modules, the design achieves compact space occupation while maintaining aesthetic appeal through visible, accessible module arrangements that eliminate the need for hidden sliding leaves
2Ease of manufacture
If island solutions with containment elements are used to improve aesthetic value, then the kitchen achieves high aesthetic value and elegance, but the space occupation increases and interaction between people is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Each modular unit serves multiple functions: the cooking module includes both cooking surface and storage, the washing module combines sink and storage, and separate storage modules provide additional containment. This multi-functionality reduces the overall space required compared to traditional island designs while maintaining aesthetic value through unified module design
Solution Approach 2:
The kitchen is divided into separate functional modules (cooking module, washing module, storage modules) that can be independently arranged. This segmentation allows the kitchen to maintain a compact footprint while using vertical space effectively through stacked configurations, preserving aesthetic value without requiring extensive wall mounting or corner solutions
3Area of stationary object
If conventional kitchen layouts are used in small spaces, then the kitchen fits the available space, but the cook is forced to turn their back on family members and guests, reducing interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The modular design allows for dynamic arrangement of functional modules around a central island, creating an open layout that facilitates face-to-face interaction. The cook can position the cooking module to face the island rather than a wall, enabling visual and verbal contact with family members and guests while maintaining compact space occupation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional wall-mounted layouts to three-dimensional stacked modular units. By utilizing vertical stacking of functional modules, the design achieves compact space occupation while maintaining aesthetic appeal through visible, accessible module arrangements that eliminate the need for hidden sliding leaves
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~6
AI summary
A modular kitchen, particularly for small dwellings, hotel suites, residences, offices and the like, comprising at least one island unit (2) and at least one independent containment element (3); such island unit (2) is provided with a cooking area (4) and a washing area (5); the containment element (3) is provided with devices for cooking (8) and for preserving (7) food; the kitchen (1) has an overall space occupation in plan view comprised between 2.5 m2 and 8 m2, in order to allow its placement within rooms of small dimensions.