Threaded Mounting Flange With Insulation for Drill-Free Countertops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounting flanges require drilling holes in countertops, leading to potential damage and additional installation steps, and fail to maintain temperature stability of liquids passing through them.
Innovation Solution
A mounting flange with an insert and anchor design featuring threaded engagement and an insulation tube with flexible ridges, allowing secure attachment without drilling and maintaining temperature stability through insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional mounting flanges are used that require drilling holes in countertops, then secure attachment can be achieved, but the countertop may be damaged and additional installation steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mounting flange as an intermediary component between the beverage dispenser and the countertop. The flange includes an insert portion that sits on the countertop surface and an anchor portion that secures to the dispenser, eliminating the need to drill holes in the countertop while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting flange is divided into distinct functional segments: an insert portion with exposed flange for countertop contact, an anchor portion for securing to the dispenser, and an insulation tube for thermal management. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without compromising the countertop.
2Strength
If traditional mounting flanges are used that require drilling holes in countertops, then attachment can be achieved, but installation complexity and potential for errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting flange is pre-assembled with the insert portion, anchor portion, and insulation tube before installation. The insert portion is designed to be inserted into a pre-cut opening in the countertop, and the anchor portion is pre-configured to engage with the dispenser, simplifying the installation process and reducing potential for errors.
3Device complexity
If traditional mounting flanges are used without insulation, then simple design is maintained, but temperature stability of liquids is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation tube is nested within the mounting flange structure, with the beverage dispenser passing through the insulation tube. This nested configuration provides thermal insulation without significantly increasing the overall footprint or complexity of the mounting system, maintaining temperature stability while keeping the design relatively simple.
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
Facilitates secure, one-size-fits-all attachment to countertops and maintains liquid temperature by preventing heat transfer, reducing installation errors and material damage.
Implementation Method 1
an insulation tube with flexible ridges, allowing secure attachment without drilling and maintaining temperature stability through insulation
Implementation Method 2
One of the inner surface and outer surface of the insert channel wall defines a plurality of teeth and one of the inner surface and outer surface of the anchor channel wall defines a plurality of teeth for threaded engagement with the teeth defined on the insert channel wall
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting flange having an insert with an exposed flange, an insert channel wall extending from the exposed flange, the channel wall defining an inner surface and an outer surface; and an anchor with an anchor flange, an anchor channel wall extending from the anchor flange, the channel wall defining an inner surface and an outer surface. One of the inner surface and outer surface of the insert channel wall defines a plurality of teeth and one of the inner surface and outer surface of the anchor channel wall defines a plurality of teeth for threaded engagement with the teeth defined on the insert channel wall.