System for mounting undercabinet ventilation hood

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for mounting ventilation hoods above cooking appliances require two people to secure, are prone to misalignment due to complex template usage, and involve tedious filler strip installation, making the process inefficient and difficult for a single user.

Innovation Solution

A system of support brackets with aligning, positioning, and hanging structures allows a single person to mount a ventilation hood by attaching them to the cabinet's underside, using longitudinally spaced support tabs that can be bent to retain the hood, eliminating the need for multiple installers and complex template alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional template and filler strip methods are used for mounting ventilation hoods, then alignment can be achieved, but the installation process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidmounting system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is divided into separate functional components: support brackets attached to the cabinet underside, and hanging ears on the ventilation hood. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall installation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Support brackets serve as intermediary elements between the cabinet and the ventilation hood. These brackets include positioning tabs that extend through openings in the cabinet bottom panel, providing precise alignment and support without requiring complex templates or filler strips.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If two people are used to secure the ventilation hood, then proper positioning can be maintained, but the installation requires multiple installers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support brackets are pre-attached to the cabinet underside before the ventilation hood is installed. The positioning tabs are pre-positioned to extend through the cabinet bottom panel openings, so that when the ventilation hood is hung, it automatically aligns and secures in the correct position without requiring a second person to hold it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The ventilation hood is designed with hanging ears that automatically engage with the support brackets' positioning tabs. This self-aligning mechanism allows a single installer to secure the hood properly without needing assistance to maintain positioning during installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If filler strips are measured, cut and installed beneath the cabinet, then proper framing is achieved, but the process becomes tedious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframing completenessVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the need for separate filler strips by integrating the support and alignment functions directly into the support brackets. The brackets attach to the cabinet underside and extend through the bottom panel, providing the necessary structural support and positioning without requiring additional filler materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If larger holes are drilled with washers to accommodate misalignment, then tolerance is established, but the mounting precision is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting flexibilityVSAvoidhole alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical alignment system of drilled holes and washers with a tab-and-slot positioning system. The positioning tabs on the support brackets fit into corresponding slots or openings in the cabinet bottom panel and the ventilation hood, providing precise alignment through geometric constraints rather than relying on enlarged holes and washers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10948200B2System for mounting undercabinet ventilation hood

Publication Date: 2021.03.16 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A ventilation hood is mounted to an underside of a cabinet by left and right support brackets each including a main body from which depend at least one support tab or hanger, as well as a locator tab. The main body is aligned on the cabinet, while the locator tab appropriately spaces the support bracket from an upstanding rear wall. Thereafter, the ventilation hood is positioned so the support tabs are received in slots formed in a top panel of the hood and, upon sliding the hood rearward, the hood rides upon ramped or tapered surfaces of the support tabs to position the hood against the cabinet while hanging the hood from the support tabs. Thereafter, the support tabs are bent to retain the ventilation hood in an operational position. Employing the distinct aligning, positioning and hanging structure enables a single person to readily mount the ventilation hood.