Mounting arrangement for over-the-range cooking appliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of over-the-range cooking appliances, particularly microwave ovens, is cumbersome and often requires multiple individuals due to the need for precise alignment and drilling of screws, complicating the process.

Innovation Solution

A mounting system for over-the-range cooking appliances that includes a wall bracket and a cabinet bracket with cooperating latch members, allowing a single person to install the appliance by tilting it upwardly to engage the latch members, which secure the appliance to the wall cabinet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional mounting methods are used with multiple individuals, then the appliance can be securely mounted, but the installation process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure mountingVSAvoidinstallation process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system enables a single installer to complete the installation independently. The appliance has self-aligning features where the rear edge automatically positions against the stop member on the bracket, and the latch members engage automatically when the appliance is tilted upward, eliminating the need for a second person to hold and align components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket is pre-installed on the wall cabinet with the stop member positioned to receive the rear edge of the appliance. The latch members are pre-positioned on the bracket and appliance respectively, so that when the appliance is tilted upward during installation, the latch members automatically engage without requiring precise manual alignment by multiple installers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If traditional mounting methods are used requiring precise alignment, then secure mounting is achieved, but the installation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the traditional mechanical alignment system (where two people manually position and align apertures with screws) with a tilt-based engagement system. The appliance is tilted upward until the latch members automatically engage, converting a precision alignment task into a simple rotational motion that can be performed by one person quickly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The latch members are pre-positioned on the bracket and appliance respectively, and the stop member is pre-positioned on the bracket. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the appliance is tilted upward during installation, the latch members automatically engage at the correct position without requiring manual alignment, significantly reducing installation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If multiple individuals are used for installation, then alignment of mounting components is easier, but the requirement for multiple individuals increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment easeVSAvoidinstallation personnel requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is designed to be self-aligning during installation. The rear edge of the appliance automatically positions against the stop member on the bracket, and the latch members engage automatically when the appliance is tilted upward. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for a second person to assist with alignment, reducing the installation personnel requirement to one individual.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If drilling many holes into cabinetry is required, then secure mounting is achieved, but the harmful effects to the cabinetry increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidcabinetry damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket serves multiple functions: it is mounted to the wall cabinet (providing structural support), includes a stop member for positioning the appliance rear edge, and includes latch members for securing the appliance. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate mounting operations and holes into a single integrated component, reducing harm to the cabinetry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260020118A1Mounting arrangement for over-the-range cooking appliance

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 MIDEA GROUP CO LTD

AI summary

An over-the-range cooking appliance for mounting to an underside of a wall cabinet, where the cooking appliance includes: an enclosure with a cooking cavity for food and where the enclosure includes at least a rear-facing side and a top-facing side; a wall bracket configured to be secured to the wall near the wall cabinet and configured to support the enclosure; and a cabinet bracket to support the enclosure from the underside of the wall cabinet. The cabinet bracket includes a first and second cooperating latch member, where the first cooperating latch member is mounted on the underside of the cabinet and the second cooperating latch member is mounted on the top-facing side of the enclosure. The cooperating latch members are respectively configured to latch to one another when the enclosure is supported on the wall bracket proximate the bottom of the rear-facing side thereof and tilted upwardly.