Removable Cupboard Bench Suspension for Hygienic Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bench arrangements, particularly in hygienically demanding environments like food handling and medical services, face challenges in ergonomically adapting cleaning methods for larger objects such as workbenches and cupboards, making them cumbersome and costly to clean, especially when machine washing is required.

Innovation Solution

A bench arrangement with suspendable cupboards that can be easily mounted and dismounted, featuring brackets along the frame's edges for lateral movement and fixation, allowing for simple cleaning and dishwasher compatibility, utilizing various bracket designs and fixing members for secure positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If cupboards are permanently fixed in the frame, then structural stability is improved, but cleaning accessibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcleaning accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cupboard system is divided into separate components: the frame structure and the removable cupboard units. The cupboards can be detached from the frame for cleaning while the frame remains stable and fixed. This segmentation allows the stable frame to provide structural support while the removable cupboards enable easy cleaning access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If cupboards are made heavy duty for stability, then load bearing capacity is improved, but ease of cleaning deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload bearing capacityVSAvoidease of cleaning
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the heavy duty frame (which provides load bearing capacity) from the removable cupboards (which are cleaned). The frame is constructed to be strong and stable, while the cupboards are designed to be removable for cleaning, resolving the contradiction between needing heavy duty construction for strength and requiring easy cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Volume of moving object

If cupboards are made large for storage capacity, then storage volume is improved, but cleaning cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage volumeVSAvoidcleaning cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The storage system is segmented into a large stationary frame (providing storage volume) and separate removable cupboard units (that require cleaning). This allows the overall storage capacity to be large while the individual cleaning components remain manageable in size, reducing cleaning costs compared to cleaning a single large integrated unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Stability of the object's composition

If cupboards are permanently attached, then positioning stability is improved, but adaptability for cleaning deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidadaptability for cleaning
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses segmented design where the frame provides stable positioning while the cupboards are detachable for cleaning. The brackets and fixing members enable the cupboards to be securely attached during use (providing positioning stability) and easily removed when cleaning is needed (providing adaptability for cleaning).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection between cupboards and frame is made dynamic rather than static. The fixing members and brackets allow the cupboards to be in a fixed stable position during use, but can be easily detached when cleaning is required. This dynamic attachment system resolves the contradiction between needing stable positioning and requiring adaptability for cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2498642B1A bench arrangement for a cupboard
Publication Date: 2016.04.06 ELEKTRO TERMO
  • EP2498642B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2498642B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2498642B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Bench arrangement for a cupboard (2) in a frame (1) having a front edge and a rear edge essentially parallel to the same, as well as a front bracket (1.3) along the front edge and a rear bracket (1.5) along the rear edge. At least one cupboard (2) is arranged underneath the frame (1 ) and movable along the brackets (1.3, 1.5) and fixable in different positions along the brackets (1.3, 1.5). The respective bracket (1.3, 1.5) has horizontal support members (1.8, 1.9) and the cupboard (2) has suspension members (5.1 ), which in an in-use position rest against the respective support members (1.8, 1.9) of the respective bracket (1.3, 1.5). Preferably, the respective suspension member (5.1 ) is a ruler, which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the brackets (1.3, 1.5). The bench arrangement may comprise a guide frame (5) having two rulers (5.1 ) and one or more guides (5.2) are advantageously arranged underneath the bench top (1.1) and extend between the brackets (1.3, 1.5). The cupboard (2) is detachable from the guide frame (5) and displaceable on the guides (5.2) and fixable in a position where it entirely or partly is located inserted under the bench top (1.1).