Countertop Sink Mounting Rail With Pull-Wire Catch Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for mounting kitchen sinks in countertops are cumbersome and costly due to the need for accessible mounting elements from the bottom, requiring extensive production technology and often unreliable adhesive connections.
Innovation Solution
A mounting part comprising a rail member with notches, a roller bar, a latch member, and a catch member, along with a pulling assembly, which allows for secure engagement and easy installation by pulling the latch member and catch member upward to contact the countertop underside, utilizing a pulling wire and notches for secure seating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mounting elements are arranged at the edge of the sink extending downward into the cut-out, then the sink can be securely mounted to the countertop, but the production expense increases and a relatively wide overhang of the edge region is required
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting function is extracted from the sink body itself and implemented as a separate, integrated mounting part that can be attached to the sink. This mounting part includes the rail member, roller bar, and catch member, which are removed from the sink manufacturing process, thereby reducing production expense while maintaining mounting security.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is segmented into distinct functional components: the mounting part (with rail member, roller bar, and catch member) and the sink body. This segmentation allows the mounting mechanism to be optimized independently, reducing the need for wide overhangs and complex sink edge structures.
2Reliability
If mounting elements are arranged at the edge of the sink extending downward into the cut-out, then the sink can be securely mounted to the countertop, but the edge region requires a relatively wide overhang which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting mechanism is extracted as a separate integrated component rather than being built into the sink's edge structure. This allows the sink edge to remain simple while the mounting part provides all necessary mounting functions through its rail member and catch member design.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller bar is made pivotally coupled to the rail member, introducing dynamic movement capability. This allows the mounting part to adapt to installation variations and provides ease of operation during installation, reducing the need for precise pre-positioning and complex fixed structures.
3Ease of manufacture
If mounting elements are accessible from the bottom only, then the mounting mechanism can be integrated at the edge, but the assembly becomes awkward and must occur in a tight space
Solution Approach 1:
The pulling wire acts as an intermediary tool that transmits force from the installer's hand (accessible from above) to the catch member (located at the bottom). This allows the installer to operate the mounting mechanism from a convenient position rather than reaching into the tight space below the countertop.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating interface is moved from the vertical dimension (bottom access only) to the horizontal dimension (pulling wire accessible from above). This dimensional change allows the installer to operate the mounting mechanism from a convenient position without reaching into the tight space below the countertop.
4Ease of manufacture
If adhesive connection is used to mount the sink to the countertop, then production costs are reduced, but the connection reliability is insufficient in the long run
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting part integrates both the mechanical mounting function (catch member engaging with rail member) and the countertop engagement function (catch member contacting countertop underside) into a single unified component. This merged design provides reliable mechanical mounting without requiring separate adhesive application, maintaining both cost-effectiveness and reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution simplifies the installation process, reduces production costs, and provides a reliable and secure mounting mechanism without the need for extensive overhangs or complex assembly, ensuring a snug fit between the sink and countertop.
Implementation Method 1
a roller bar pivotally coupled to the upper end of the rail member, and a latch member defining an internal cross-sectional space for receiving the rail member in a manner such that the latch member is able to travel along the rail member
Implementation Method 2
A pulling assembly has a pulling wire that has opposite first and second ends, with the pulling wire suspended about the roller bar, where the first end of the pulling member is pulled to pull the latch member and the catch member upwardly
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting part for an apparatus to be mounted into a cut-out of a countertop includes a rail member, a roller bar pivotally coupled to the upper end of the rail member, and a latch member defining an internal cross-sectional space for receiving the rail member in a manner such that the latch member is able to travel along the rail member. A catch member is pivotally secured to the latch member, with the catch member having an end edge for contacting the underside of a countertop. A pulling assembly has a pulling wire that has opposite first and second ends, with the pulling wire suspended about the roller bar, where the first end of the pulling member is pulled to pull the latch member and the catch member upwardly to cause the end edge of the catch member to contact the underside of a countertop.