Range hood support lift

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of range hoods is challenging due to their bulkiness and heaviness, often requiring multiple technicians to lift and position them properly, which can be fatiguing and dangerous, and may lead to improper installation.

Innovation Solution

A range hood support lift with adjustable leg structures, scissor mechanisms, and height extensions that allow for single-person installation, featuring centering locators, adjustable scissor mechanisms, and collapsible designs for ease of use and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple technicians are used to lift and position the range hood, then the installation can be completed, but the installation process becomes fatiguing and dangerous

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation safetyVSAvoidinstallation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A support lift device acts as an intermediary mechanical aid between the installer and the heavy range hood. The lift provides mechanical support to hold the hood at the required installation height, eliminating the need for multiple technicians to manually support the hood's weight during installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of multiple technicians lifting and supporting the hood with an automated mechanical lift system. The lift uses a scissor mechanism with hydraulic or pneumatic actuation to automatically raise and position the hood, substituting human physical effort with a mechanical assistance device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the range hood is made bulky to provide adequate coverage, then the functional performance is improved, but the weight and handling difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehood coverageVSAvoidhood weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support lift device counteracts the weight of the bulky range hood by providing upward mechanical support. The lift's scissor mechanism generates sufficient lifting force to balance the hood's weight, allowing a single installer to position and secure the large, heavy hood without difficulty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Device complexity

If the range hood is supported manually during installation, then no additional equipment is needed, but improper installation may occur due to fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation equipmentVSAvoidinstallation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support lift serves as a mediating device that ensures accurate positioning of the range hood. By providing stable mechanical support at the precise installation height, the lift enables the installer to focus on proper alignment and fastening without the distraction of supporting the hood's weight, thereby improving installation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12012317B2Range hood support lift

Publication Date: 2024.06.18 SOLUTION TOOL LLC

AI summary

A range hood support lift for positioning and supporting the weight of range hoods, exhaust vents, microwave ovens, and the like during the installation process. The range hood support lift includes a support section having a plurality of support arms. A base section includes a plurality of legs and a scissor section separates the plurality of legs. In use, the base section adjusts the height of the support section above the base section and the scissor section adjusts the distance between the plurality of legs.